Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-09-067 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 Rhode Island and the United States as a whole.
small state: Big Problem
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 38.7% of white adults in Rhode Island 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 34% higher in Rhode Island than the national
average from 2001 -2005 and was the 6th highest in the U.S.9'10 An estimated 300
state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2008.2
• Washington County has the highest rate of melanoma diagnoses in the state,
92% above the national average.9
• Deaths from Melanoma. Nearly 40 people in Rhode Island die of melanoma every
year.11 Rhode Island had the 8th highest melanoma death rate nationally from
2001-2005—14.8% higher than the U.S. average.12
• Newport County has the highest melanoma death rate in the state, 104% higher
than the national average.11
1 41 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Tim Fater
Growing up in Newport, Rl, I was always in the sun—whether I was playing
sports, sailing, surfing, golfing or working atthe beach. Getting sunburned was
an annual thing—part of summer. It finally caught up with me in 2005, when an
unusual mole on my forearm returned. The result: malignant melanoma.
I was 22 when they caught the cancer. Ayear and a half earlier I had a spot in the
same place removed, but I was told it was benign. Now the doctors were telling me both the new
and old spots were melanoma, and my future was uncertain, at best. Three surgeries and a year-long
intensive interferon treatment later, I was told the measures had been successful and there was no
evidence of cancer, though I would have to live aware of my heightened risk of a recurrence.
Being smart in the sun doesn't mean staying inside all day; it means always taking care of yourself
when you're outdoors. It also means knowing your skin and going to the doctor immediately when
you notice any changes. I'll do both for the rest of my life.
77m Fater volunteers with a local melanoma organization and mentors current melanoma patients and survivors.
Melanoma Death Rates,
2001-2005"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
Q2.5-3.2 03.3-4.0 04.1-4.8 •4.9-5.5
0 Suppressed Data
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2001-20059
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
FJ 19.0-22.6 FJ 22.7-26.3 fj 26.4-30.0 | 30.1-33.6
Q 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—a known human carcinogen
—is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.6161923 Taking
simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.2'4'24'25
• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.26 32 Skin
examinations may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.2'33'37
• 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.38 39
• Student self-reported data40—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.41
• 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.41
1~41 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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