Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-M3-028 November 2013
survivor story:
Yvonne Short
When I spotted a funny-
looking mole on my leg, I saw
a dermatologist right away.
He took one look and said,
"If that is not melanoma,
I will be shocked." Sure
enough, the biopsy came back positive, and I
had the mole and surrounding tissue removed.
Thankfully, the cancer had not spread—I am
one lucky woman!
I grew up spending summers by the pool and
on the beach. As a fair-skinned, blond child, I
had to first burn and peel before I would start
to tan. I seldom used sunscreen and at most,
applied SPF2or4. Every summer I wound up
with a serious, blistering sunburn. As I got older,
I started tanning—both outdoors and in tanning
beds. I didn't realize the risk of skin cancer; I
was only warned about getting wrinkles.
After my diagnosis, I still spend a lot of time
outdoors—but I do it safely by wearing wide-
brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing, and
sunscreen. I especially enjoy sailing, walking
my dogs, and gardening. No more tanning for
me! Because of my newfound diligence, I will
live to sail another race.
Yvonne Short enjoys sun-safe outdoor adventures in
Gary, NC.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed
in the United States.1"5 This fact sheet presents statistics
about skin cancer for North Carolina and the United States.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in North Carolina
• Sunburns. A survey conducted in 2004 found that nearly 30% of White adults in
North Carolina had experienced at least one sunburn in the pastyear.6 Sunburns
are a significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer.4'7"9
• New Cases of Melanoma. An estimated 2,620 residents of North Carolina will be
diagnosed with melanoma in 2013.3 Melanoma is responsible for about 75% of all
deaths from skin cancer.3'10
• The rate of new melanoma diagnoses in North Carolina is rising faster than
that of all other types of cancer except thyroid—with an increase of more
than 5% per year from 2005 to 2009."
• North Carolina has the fifth highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses
nationwide among Whites, who are at the highest risk for melanoma."
• Davie County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in the
state—123% above the national average."
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 287 people in North Carolina die of melanoma
every year.12
• Among Whites, North Carolina has the third highest death rate from
melanoma nationwide.12'13
• The death rate from melanoma among residents of North Carolina aged 50
and older is rising faster than that of any other cancer except liver and bile
duct cancer.12
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, 2005-2009"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 People
0 9.0-17.4 0 17.5-25.9 Q 26.0-34.4 | 34.5-42.9
Q Data Not Available
Melanoma Death Rates, 2005-2009"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths per Year per 100,000 People
n 2.4-2.5 n 2.6-2.7 • 2.8-2.9 • 3.0-3.3
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on processed chlorine-free paper that contains at least 50% post-consumer fiber.
-------
The Cost of Skin Cancer
__
In the United States, medical costs to treat
melanoma skin cancer in 2010 were estimated
at almost $2.4 billion. These costs are projected
to reach at least $3.2 billion by 2020.14
statistics: Cause for Concern
• More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are
diagnosed each year,2 making it the most common
of all cancers in the United States.135 More people
will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2013 than the
number diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, and
colon cancers combined.3 More than 1 in 5 Americans
will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.15
• One American dies of melanoma every hour.3
• Melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer
and the second leading cause of cancer death for
young adults 25-29 years old.16
• For people born in 2009,1 in 50 will be diagnosed
with melanoma16—nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in the 1930s.17
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2005-2009"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
-SAK
Melanoma Diagnoses per Year per 100,000 People
Q 8.5-16.2 Q 16.3-18.7 Q 18.8-20.7 • 20.8-22.5 • 22.6-29.8
* 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 50 states and D.C., four quintiles include ten states, and one quintile includes eleven. For example, the eleven states
with the highest melanoma rates—22.6 to 29.8 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.71823
Taking simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.3'5'24'25
• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.26 32 Skin examinations
may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.3'33~37
• 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.3839
• 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 30 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
------- |