Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-10-016 January 2011
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for Arizona and the United States as a whole.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Arizona
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 42% of white adults in Arizona had at least
one sunburn in the pastyear—an increase from 26% in 1999.5 Sunburns are a
significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer.6'8
• New Cases of Melanoma. An estimated 1,460 state residents were diagnosed with
melanoma in 2009.2 Melanoma is responsible for about 75% of all skin cancer deaths.2'9
• The rate of new melanoma diagnoses is nearly 75% higher among men than
women in Arizona.10"11
• Coconino County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in the
state—54% higher than the state average.10
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 171 people in Arizona die of melanoma every year.
Since 1975, the melanoma death rate in Arizona has risen by an average of about
1 % per year among residents over the age of 50.12
• Gila County has the highest melanoma death rate in the state—70% higher than
the national average.12
1~41 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Sharon McKenna
My battle with melanoma began in 2002 when my husband noticed a small, irregular
mole on my lower back. After six months of unsuccessful medical tests to figure out
why I was always sick and low-energy, I was anxious to see if this mole had anything
to do with my constant sickness and fatigue. Soon after my biopsy, my husband and
my mother sat me down to deliver the news: it was Stage II melanoma.
To date, I've undergone 28 biopsies and had three melanomas surgically removed. I've been
melanoma-free since 2003, but have had nonmelanoma skin cancers since then.
Before my diagnosis, I spent a lot of time in the sun. Asa child, I spent my summers tanning (and
sunburning) and worked as a lifeguard. As an adult, my vacations were about sunbathing. I still had
a visible tan line two months after my first melanoma surgery. But not anymore. I no longer sunbathe
and now take precautions to protect my skin, like wearing sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
and avoiding the midday sun. Discovering melanoma changed my life. I became an advocate for sun
safety and found a new job. Take it from me: a tan is not a sign of health—it's skin damage!
Sharon McKenna works as a sun safety manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2003-200710
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
fj 6.9-11.3 fj 11.4-15.8 fj 15.9-20.3 | 20.4-24.8
n Data Not Available
Melanoma Death Rates,
2003-200712
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
G 2.5-2.6 n 2.7-2.8 H 2.9-3.0 • 3.1-3.4
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on processed chlorine-free 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 2009,1 in 58 will be diagnosed
with melanoma17—nearly 25 times the rate for
people born in 1935.18
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2003-2007"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 People
Ds.3-15.9 Dl6-0-"-8 D"-9-19.7 • 19.8-22.5 •22.6-30.6
D 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 setting 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 47 states and D.C., four quintiles include ten states, and one quintile includes eight. For example, the eight states
with the highest melanoma rates—22.6 to 30.6 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.6151923
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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