Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-09-070 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 Washington and the United States as a whole.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Washington
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 43.6% of white adults in Washington 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 35% higher in Washington than the national
average from 2001 -2005 and was the 5th highest in the U.S.9'10 An estimated 1,900
state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2008.2
• Island County has one of the top 10 rates of new melanoma diagnoses among
counties nationwide, 130% above the national average.11
• Deaths from Melanoma. Approximately 175 people in Washington die of
melanoma every year.12 Washington had the 16th highest melanoma death rate
nationally from 2001 -2005—7.4% higher than the U.S. average.13
Melanoma Death Rates,
2001-200512
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
42 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Shay Frederickson
After watching a segment about melanoma on The Oprah Winfrey Show, I
became suspicious of a mole on my leg. I'd noticed this mole change color and
shape for a year, and as soon as I sawthe pictures of melanomas on TV, I called
my cousin, who is a dermatologist. He removed the mole and told me it was
positive for melanoma.
I felt terrified and sad to hear I had melanoma, but from the beginning I told myself I would not let
this disease beat me. I never gave up and never stopped asking my doctors questions, and after
three surgeries and high-dose interferon therapy, I have been cancer-free for a year.
When I was first diagnosed, a lot of people's reaction was: "Oh, this is just skin cancer; it's not
a big deal." But the 3 weeks I planned to take off from work quickly turned into 7 months: it was
a big deal. There is a huge lack of awareness about how serious melanoma can be. Now, I talk
about my experience with melanoma whenever I can to help educate people about this disease.
Rememberto watch for changes in your skin and be your own advocate!
Shay Frederickson, a resident of Renton, WA, works to raise awareness of melanoma.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2001-20059
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
fj9.6-17.2 fj 17.3-24.9 fj 25.0-32.6
^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.14'15
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, 2001-2005"
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.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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