Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-10-023 May 2010
WYOMING
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
United States.1"4 This fact sheet presents statistics about skin
cancer for Wyoming and the United States as a whole.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Wyoming
• Sunburns. A 2008 survey found that 50% of white adults in Wyoming 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 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Wyoming.9'10 An estimated
130 state residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009.2
• Sweetwater County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in the
state and ranks among the highest 4% of counties nationwide.11
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 17 people in Wyoming die of melanoma every year.12
Wyoming had the 4th highest melanoma death rate nationally from 2002-2006-—
24% higher than the U.S. average.13
• In Wyoming, the melanoma death rate has increased an average of 1.5% per
year since 1975.12
1~42 All references can be found on the SunWise Web site at: www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html
survivor story: Julie Dunlap
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I was first diagnosed with melanoma when I was 19 years old. I found a new
black mole on my leg that was as small as the tip of a pencil but with jagged
edges. I immediately called my doctor and was able to catch the cancer at
Stage I. More than five surgeries later, the melanoma was gone.
^ ,
But seven years later, it was back. This time the melanoma showed up as
a larger black mole, which grewto the size of a quarter over a weekend. I called my doctor
immediately and had two more surgeries to remove the melanoma.
Telling my father that his only child had melanoma was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
He worried that he would never walk his daughter down the aisle, but this summer he finally had
the chance! After nearly 10 surgeries in total, I have been cancer-free now for 5 years.
Since my diagnoses, I have been vigilant about checking for skin changes and wearing sunscreen
when I'm outdoors. I've also been inspired to spread the word about skin cancer prevention and the
power of early detection by telling my story. If you find a suspicious mole, call your doctor right away!
Julie Dunlap works as a program manager for the Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Region V and as an advocate
for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Annual Rate of New
Melanoma Diagnoses,
2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year
per 100,000 People
Q 13.1-16.1 Q 16.2-19.2 Q 19.3-22.3 | 22.4-25.4
Q| Data Not Available
Melanoma Death Rates,
2002-200612
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year
per 100,000 People
Ql.7-2.1 Q 2.2-2.6 | 2.7-3.1 | 3.2-3.5
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.15'16
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.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 2006,1 in 53 will be diagnosed
with melanoma13—nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in 1930.'
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2002-2006"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
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.6172024
Taking simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.2A25'26
• 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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