Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-09-068 May 2009
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for Utah and the United States as a whole.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Utah
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 49.9% of white adults in Utah had at least
one sunburn in the pastyear.5 Sunburns are a significant risk factor for the
development of skin cancer.6'8
• New Cases of Melanoma. The rate of new melanoma diagnoses—responsible for
75% of all skin cancer deaths—was 37% higher in Utah than the national average
from 2001 -2005 and was the 4th highest in the U.S.9'10 An estimated 500 state residents
were diagnosed with melanoma in 2008.2
• Summit County has the highest rate of melanoma diagnoses in the state,
124% above the national average.9
• Deaths from Melanoma. More than 70 people in Utah die of melanoma every year.11
Utah had the 4th highest melanoma death rate nationally from 2001 -2005—
25.9% higher than the U.S. average.12
Melanoma Death Rates,
2001-2005"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
Q 1.6-2.0 Q 2.1-2.5 •2-6-3.0
1 m All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Mary Ann Gerber
i) -( In spring 2005,1 noticed what seemed like a new red mole on my left cheek.
When my family started commenting on it, I thought I should get it removed but
delayed because I didn't want the stitches on my face. When I finally went to the
doctor six months later, I could not believe the spot was a melanoma: I was only
24 years old!
The doctors found another melanoma on my lower back and a basal cell carcinoma on my neck. My
first surgery removed the melanomas and a few lymph nodes, and in the second surgery, the doctor
lookout every single lymph node on the leftside of my neck—nearly 30 of them. Athird surgery
removed the basal cell carcinoma.
My battle with skin cancer inspired me to spread the word about sun protection. Stay away from
tanning beds, cover up in the sun, and wear sunscreen—now I put it on every single day after I get out
of the shower and reapply it later in the day. Taking these simple steps now can make a big difference.
MaryAnn Gerber speaks to the public aboutskin cancer prevent/on forthe Utah Cancer Act/on Networkand
volunteers for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2001-20059
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
FJ 14.7-20.7 fj 20.8-26.9 fj 27.0-33.1 | 33.2-39.2
[2 Suppressed Data
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on paper that contains at least 50% post-consumer fiber.
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The Cost of Skin Cancer
In the U.S., medical costs to treat
skin cancer are estimated at almost
$2 billion annually.13'14
statistics: Cause for Concern
• In 2008, more than 1 million people were diagnosed
with skin cancer, making it the most common of all
cancers.1"4 More people were diagnosed with skin
cancer in 2008 than with breast, prostate, lung, and
colon cancer combined.2 About 1 in 5 Americans
will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.16
• One American dies of melanoma almost every hour.2
• Melanoma is the second most common form of
cancer for adolescents and young adults (15-29
years old).17
• For people born in 2005,1 in 55 will be diagnosed
with melanoma12—nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in 1930.18
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2001-2005"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 Peopl
* Please note that delays in reporting melanoma cases to cancer registries are more common since they are usually
diagnosed and treated in non-hospital settings such as physician offices. States are grouped into quintiles based
on rates of melanoma diagnoses. A quintile is a statistical "block" representing 20% of a total. Because data
are available for only 45 states and D.C., four quintiles include nine states, and one includes 10. For example,
the ten states with the highest melanoma rates—21.8 to 28.6 diagnoses per 100,000 residents every year—are
in the top quintile.
what works:
An Ounce of Prevention
• Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light is the most preventable
risk factor for skin cancer.6'16'19'22 Taking simple steps as early in life
as possible can reduce one's risk.2A23~24
• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.25 31 Skin
examinations may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.2'32'36
• The CDC found evidence that education and policy approaches
in primary schools (for children) and in recreational or tourism
settings (for adults) can improve sun safety behaviors.37 38
• Student self-reported data39—collected as part of the U.S. EPA's
SunWise Program—showed that teachers using the SunWise Tool
Kit for 1-2 hours yearly can spur increases in students' sun safety
knowledge and attitudes and small to modest improvements in
short-term sun safety behaviors.40
• Using the data mentioned above, published modeling results
show SunWise teaching between 1999 and 2015 could prevent
more than 50 premature deaths and 11,000 future cases of skin
cancer, saving the country more than $30 million in medical costs
and productivity losses.40
1~40 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
skin cancer prevention:
Action Steps
• Do Not Burn. Overexposure to the sun is the
most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
• Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds.
UV light from tanning beds and the sun
causes skin cancer and wrinkling.
• Use Sunscreen. Generously apply a broad
spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or
higher. Reapply at least every two hours, and
after swimming or sweating.
• Cover Up. Wear protective clothing, such as
a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed
hat, and sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB
protection, when possible.
• Seek Shade. Seek shade when the sun's
UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m.
• Watch for the UV Index. Pay attention to the
UV Index when planning outdoor activities to
prevent overexposure to the sun.
www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin
www.epa.gov/sunwise
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