Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-10-022 May 2010
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survivor story:
Tabitha Danielle Buis
In 2005, my brother noticed
a mole on my knee that
looked like a picture of
melanoma he'd seen at
his dermatologist's office.
I immediately went to see
the doctor and was diagnosed with Stage I
melanoma. I had no idea how serious melanoma
can be: I was only 17 years old.
I underwent an initial surgery to remove the
cancerous mole and then a follow-up surgery
to make sure all the melanoma was gone. I am
so thankful thatthe cancer was caught before it
spread. I've now been cancer-free for 4 years.
As a teenager I liked to be tan for special
occasions and often used tanning beds before
events and during the winter. Now I am much
more aware of the importance of taking care
of my skin. I don't go to tanning salons, and I
always use sunscreen. I've also spoken out in
support of a bill to monitor tanning bed use by
minors in Kentucky. The bill was passed in 2006.
I hope that others can learn from my experience.
Checkyourskin regularly and immediately report
any suspicious spots to your dermatologist!
Tabitha Danielle Buis, a resident of Liberty, Kentucky, is
active in spreading the word about melanoma prevention.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed
in the United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents
statistics about skin cancer for Kentucky and the
United States as a whole.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Kentucky
• Sunburns. A 2004 survey found that 27% of white adults in Kentucky had
at least one sunburn in the past year.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 14% higher in
Kentucky than the national average from 2002-2006.9'10 An estimated
1,260 state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009.2
• Russell County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in
the state and ranks among the highest 2% of counties nationwide.9
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 136 people in Kentucky die of melanoma
every year.11 Kentucky had the 6th highest melanoma death rate nationally
from 2002-2006—17% higher than the U.S. average.12
• The melanoma death rate has increased about 1.6% per year
among state residents since 1975.11
• Warren County has the 17th highest melanoma death rate among
counties nationwide—81% above the national average from
2002-2006.11
1 41 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2002-20069
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Death Rates, 2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 People
fj]9.6-17.1 Q 17.2-24.8 Q24.9-32.4 32.5-40.0
PI Data Not Available
Melanoma Deaths per Year per 100,000 People
© 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 melanoma12— nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in 1930.17
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.6151923
Taking simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.2A24'25
• 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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