Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-10-013 May 2010
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for California and the United States as a whole.
increasing risk: Skin Cancer in California
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 34.8% of white adults in California 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. Melanoma—responsible for 75% of all skin cancer
deaths—is the 5th most common cancer among Caucasians in California. The rate
of new diagnoses of melanoma in California has increased overthe past decade,
especially among Hispanics and Caucasians.9
• An estimated 9,080 state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009.2
• San Luis Obispo County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in the
state, 106% above the national average.10'11
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 2 Californians die of melanoma each day, for a total
of more than 800 deaths from melanoma every year.12
a Tuolumne County has the highest melanoma death rate in the state, 96% higher
than the national average.12
1~42 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Nate Schwegman
In 2008,1 noticed an irritating mole on my back. Even though it was painful I waited
until it was pretty bad before finally having it checked. You wouldn't believe how
shocked I wasto learn that, at 23years old, I had Stage III melanoma.
Before my diagnosis I spent a lot of time in the sun and sometimes went to tanning salons. Now, I
always protect myself. When I'm outside I use a lot of sunscreen and reapply it often. And never
again will I lie in a tanning bed.
Remember to always keep your skin safe: stay away from tanning beds and be sure to protect
yourself from the sun!
Nate Schwegman, a resident of Irvine, CA, was 23 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
Q 8.8-15.7 Q 15.8-22.8 Q 22.9-29.9 [
Q Data Not Available
| 30.0-36.9
Melanoma Death Rates,
2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
Q 1.8-2.6 Q 2.7-3.5 LJ 3.6-4.4
n Data Not Available
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 2009, 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 2009 than with breast, prostate, lung, and
colon cancer combined.2 About 1 in 5 Americans
will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.15
• 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).16
• For people born in 2006,1 in 53 will be diagnosed
with melanoma17—nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in 1930.18
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
VAK\
' *^1 /&~**&±
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 People
Q 10.3-15.8 Q15.9-17.5 • 17.6-19.4 • 19.5-22.0 • 22.1-30.1
Data Not Available
' 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, each quintile includes nine states. For example, the nine states with the highest
melanoma rates—22.1 to 30.1 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.6132024
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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