Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-09-062 May 2009
iDAHO DEPARTMENT OF
Ifl" HEALTH & WELFARE
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for Idaho and the United States as a whole.
skin cancer: Increasing Risk in Idaho
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 48.5% of white adults in Idaho 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 annual rate of new melanoma diagnoses—
responsible for 75% of all skin cancer deaths—was 34% higher in Idaho than
the national average and was the 7th highest in the U.S. from 2001 -2005.1(X11 An
estimated 360 state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2008.2
• Among whites—who are at the highest risk for melanoma—Idaho had the
11th highest melanoma incidence rate in the U.S. from 2001-2005.12
• New diagnoses of melanoma increased at a rate of about 3.6% per year in
Idaho from 1975 to 2006.9The rate of increase was higher for males (4.2% per
year) than for females (2.8% per year).9
• Deaths from Melanoma. Idaho had the highest melanoma death rate nationally
from 2001 -2005—26% higher than the U.S. average.13 About 40 people in the state
die of melanoma every year.14
1~42 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Carol Julius
"You ought to get that checked out... it looks funny." Desp'tie myfriend's concern,
I waited an entire year to have the spot on my ankle checked by a doctor—what
a mistake! I was shocked to hear I had melanoma. By the time it was diagnosed, it
had spread from my ankle to my upper thigh. It took three surgeries to remove the
cancer from my body. Meanwhile, I dealt with fatigue and body aches for a year
as I went through interferon therapy. Therapy and surgery aren't a "cure all for
sure," but I've been in remission for 3 years now!
I knew skin cancer ran in my family—I'm of Swedish descent, so my fair skin puts me at a higher
risk—but I never thought that it would happen to me.
Having melanoma changed my perspective on life and sun protection. I try to worry less and enjoy
moments more, and I can't help but spoil my grandkids. I still love to spend time outdoors, but now I
always wear sunscreen and a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a hat, even on cloudy days. I also follow
up with my dermatologist regularly. And I never miss an opportunity to remind my family and friends
to cover up and use sunscreen.
Carol Julius, a Boise, Idaho resident, was 50 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage III A melanoma.
Melanoma Death Rates,
2001-200514
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
n 1.6-2.0 n 2.1-2.5 n 2.6-3.0 • 3.1-3.4
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2001-200510
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
Q12.3-15.2 Q15.3-18.2 Q 18.3-21.2 | 21.3-24.2
© 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.15'16
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.17
• 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).18
• For people born in 2005,1 in 55 will be diagnosed
with melanoma13— nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in 1930.'
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2001-200512
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—a known human carcinogen
—is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.6172024 Taking
simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.2'4'25'26
• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.27 33 Skin
examinations may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.2'34'38
• 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.39 40
• Student self-reported data41—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.42
• 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.42
1~42 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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