Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-M4-011 April 2014
survivor story:
Rachel Peterson
I
At age 17,1 noticed a spot
on my right leg that had
turned from brown to black
and immediately saw a
doctor. Soon after, my mom
received a phone call with
the test results and told me
I had Stage I melanoma. I wasvery upset and
worried that my life was going to end at such
a young age or change in a major way. Skin
cancer runs in my family; my grandfather died
from Stage IV melanoma.
I underwent surgery to remove the mole
and three inches of the surrounding area. I
have since had multiple surgeries to remove
potential pre-cancerous lesions. Luckily, I
have been cancer-free for four years!
My melanoma experience has increased my
awareness about skin cancer. I used to go
to the tanning bed up to five days per week
and sunburned frequently as a child and
teen. Since my diagnosis, I no longer use
tanning beds and take measures to prevent
overexposure to the sun, such as wearing
sunscreen (SPF 30) when I am outside.
Rachel Peterson, a resident ofAdelphi, Maryland,
works with Maryland's Congress to change tanning
bed regulations.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed
in the United States.1"5 This fact sheet presents
statistics about skin cancer for Maryland and the
United States.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Maryland
• Sunburns. A survey conducted in 2004 found that 44% of White adults
in Maryland had experienced at least one sunburn in the pastyear.6
Sunburns are a significant risk factor for the development of
skin cancer.47"10
• New Cases of Melanoma. An estimated 1,530 residents of Maryland will
be diagnosed with melanoma in 2013.3 Melanoma is responsible for about
75% of all deaths from skin cancer.3'11
• Maryland has the 7th highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses
nationwide among White residents, who are at the highest risk
for melanoma.12
• Calvert County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in
Maryland—double the national average.12
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 159 people in Maryland die of melanoma
every year.13
• Melanoma is one of just four cancers in Maryland with a rising death
rate. Among state residents over the age of 65, melanoma has the
fastest rising cancer death rate.13
M1 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 7.8-15.4 0 15.5-23.1 Q 23.2-30.8 | 30.9-38.5
Melanoma Death Rates, 2005-2009"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths perYear per 100,000 People
n 1.2-1.6 n 1.7-2.1 n 2.2-2.6 • 2.7-3.3
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 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 Without a reduction in skin
cancer incidence rates, about 1 in 5 non-Hispanic
Whites will get skin cancer in 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, 2005-200912
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.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
'"" 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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