Office of Air and Radiation (6205J)   EPA-430-F-10-035   January 2011


                                                                   NEW I
 4
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed  in the
United  States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for New Mexico  and  the United States as a whole.

just the facts:  Skin Cancer  in New Mexico

• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 41.3% of white adults in New Mexico 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. An estimated 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 has more than doubled in New Mexico
      between 1975 and 2007.10
   •  Los Alamos County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in the
      state—higher than 95% of counties nationwide.10
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 52 people in New Mexico die of melanoma
   every year.11
   •  The  melanoma death rate in Sandoval County is about40% higherthan the
      national and statewide average.11
   •  The  melanoma death rate among white residents of New Mexico is 24% higher
      than the national average for this group.11
   •  The  melanoma death rate among women in New Mexico is about 18% higher
      than the national average for this group.11
1~40 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: John F.  Klein-Robbenhaar

              I was diagnosed with Clark's Level I Melanoma when I was just 29 years old. The
              malignant mole was first identified by my physician during a routine visit. Although I
              had never thought to examine my skin before, I suggested my doctor perform a skin
              check because my cousin died of skin cancer ten years earlier. When my doctor
              called with the test results, I was in disbelief.

Fortunately, I only had to undergo one surgery to remove the melanoma from my thigh. Since then, I
have had over a dozen suspicious moles removed, all with negative results.

Growing up in Connecticut, I lathered on baby oil at the beach and worked on my tan. Now I try to
always wear a wide-brimmed hat, ample clothing, and sunscreen. By making simple changes in
my lifestyle and habits, I have been able to keep the melanoma from recurring for over a decade. In
addition to protecting myself, I have taught my children to treat the sun with respect. I've participated
in sun-safe activities at their elementary school, and have tried to spread the word about sun safety to
family and  friends. Limit your sun exposure and keep a close watch on your skin!

John F. Klein-Robbenhaar, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has now been cancer-free for 13 years.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2003-200710
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
 Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
 per 100,000 People

 fj 10.0-15.0 Q15.1-20.2 Q20.3-25.4 125.5-30.5
 O Data Not Available
Melanoma Death Rates,
2003-2007"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
             \
 Melanoma Deaths per Year
 per 100,000 People
 n 2.5-2.7 n 2.8-3.0 03-1-3-3 • 3.4-3.5
    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.12'13
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.14

• 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).15

• For people born in 2009,1 in 58 will be diagnosed
   with invasive melanoma16—more than 25 times the
   rate for people born in 1935.17
            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

             D8.3-15.9 ni6.0-17.8 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.6141822
   Taking simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.2"4'23'24

• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.25 31  Skin examinations
   may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.2'32~36

• 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.37 38

• Student self-reported data39—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.40

   •  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.40

1~40 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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