Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-M4-008 April 2014
survivor story:
Raymond Kosaka
I was first diagnosed with skin
cancer in September of 2010.
While getting a haircut, my
barber noticed a discoloration
3 on my scalp on the top of my
head. I waited two months
until my next semi-annual physical exam to
have the area evaluated by a doctor. The
result: Stage I melanoma.
As a teen, I spent hours in the summer sun free
diving, and as an adult I've spent many years as a
sport fisher, often with nothing to protect my bare
head. Since being diagnosed with melanoma,
I've undergone two surgeries—one by my
dermatologist to remove the discoloration on my
scalp, and a second by an oncologistto remove a
larger area of skin. I've been "cancer-free" since.
I've made several changes since the
diagnosis—I now wear a cap while in the
sun and tell my family and friends to protect
themselves at all times while outside. In addition,
I've learned to take observations of others,
like my barber, seriously, and to see my doctor
immediately to have any skin changes examined.
And of course, I made sure to send my barber a
bouquet of flowers and to tip her generously!
Raymond Kosaka, a Honolulu, HI resident, was 75 years
old when diagnosed with melanoma.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed
in the United States.1"5 This fact sheet presents statistics
about skin cancer for Hawaii and the United States.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Hawaii
• Sunburns. A survey conducted in 2012 found that more than 29% of White adults
in Hawaii had experienced at least one sunburn in the past year.6 Sunburns are a
significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer.4'7"10
• New Cases of Melanoma. An estimated 380 residents of Hawaii will be
diagnosed with melanoma in 2013.3 Although melanoma is not the most common
type of skin cancer, it is the most deadly—responsible for about 75% of all
deaths from skin cancer.3'"
• Hawaii has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses nationwide among
Whites, who are at the highest risk for melanoma. The rate of new melanoma
diagnoses among Whites in Hawaii is nearly triple the national average.12'13
• The rate of new melanoma diagnoses for men is rising faster than that of any
other cancer—increasing on average by 4% per year between 2005 and 2009.12
• The rate of new melanoma diagnoses in Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties is
higher than the national average; in Maui County, the rate is nearly double the
national average.12
• Deaths from Melanoma. Nearly 75 people died of melanoma in Hawaii between
2005 and 2009.14
• Melanoma has the third fastest rising death rate among cancers in Hawaii.15
• Hawaii is tied with Alabama for the highest death rate from melanoma
nationwide among Whites. The death rate from melanoma in Hawaii was more
than 30% higher than the national average in 2009.15'16
1~44 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
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The Cost of Skin Cancer
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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 2020.17
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 Without a reduction in skin
cancer incidence rates, about 1 in 5 non-Hispanic
Whites will get skin cancer in their lifetime.18
• 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.19
• For people born in 2009,1 in 50 will be diagnosed
with melanoma19—nearly 30 times the rate for
people born in the 1930s.20
National Annual Rate of New Melanoma Diagnoses, 2005-200912
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages, Age-adjusted Rates
-SAK
Melanoma Diagnoses perYear per 100,000 People
D8.5-16.2 D16.3-18.7 Dl8.8-20.7 •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.72126
Taking simple steps as early in life as possible can reduce one's risk.3'5'27'28
• Early detection of melanoma can save one's life.29 35 Skin examinations
may be the best way to detect skin cancer early.3'36-40
• 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.4142
• Student self-reported data43—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.44
• 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.44
1~44 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
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