Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-M4-003 March 2014
survivor story:
Chelsea Price
When I was 23,1 noticed a
scabby, oozing mole on my
back. I didn't delay in seeing a
dermatologist, who diagnosed
me with stage III melanoma.
The cancer had spread to
multiple lymph nodes on both sides of my body,
so they were removed in addition to the excision
of the melanoma and surrounding tissue. Two
years later, I had a new primary melanoma
removed. I continue to follow up with my
oncologist every three months.
I grew up on the beach and started using
tanning beds regularly at age 14. Now I will
never step foot in a tanning bed again! Ever!
While I still enjoy the sun, I respect that it can
be harmful. I seek shade; wear a big, floppy hat
and sunglasses; and lather up daily with broad
spectrum sunscreen, reapplying every two
hours. I am very vocal about my adventures with
melanoma through my blog, sharing everything
from surgery pictures, to my midnight fears, to
the latest research article. Early detection is
key, so I encourage people to schedule yearly
skin exams with a dermatologist.
Due to the advanced stage of my melanoma, I
face a lifelong battle. Trust me, my tan wasn't
worth it.
Chelsea Price is a resident of Roanoke, Virginia.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed
in the United States.1"5 This fact sheet presents
statistics about skin cancer for Virginia and the
United States.
just the facts: Skin Cancer in Virginia
• Sunburns. A survey conducted in 2007 found that a third of Virginia
adults reported having had a sunburn in the pastyear.6 Sunburns are a
significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer.4'7'10
• New Cases of Melanoma. An estimated 2,380 residents of Virginia are
expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2013.3 Melanoma accounts
for less than 5% of all skin cancer cases but the vast majority of skin
cancer deaths.3'11
• James City County had the highest rate of new melanoma
diagnoses in the state and in the nation from 2005-2009; its rate was
127% above the national average.12
• Deaths from Melanoma. About 231 people died of melanoma in Virginia
every year from 2005 to 2009.13
• The annual death rate from melanoma rose by an average of 2% per
year among male residents over the age of 50 from 1975 to 2009.13
• From 2005 to 2009, the death rate from melanoma rose more
rapidly in Virginia than that from any other cancer except liver and
bile duct cancer.13
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 perYear per 100,000 People
0 8.2-16.9 0 17.0-25.8 Q 25.9-34.7
G Data Not Available
34.8-43.5
Melanoma Death Rates, 2005-2009"
All Races, Both Sexes, All Ages
Melanoma Deaths perYear per 100,000 People
n 2.7-2.8 n 2.9-3.0 03.1-3.2 13.3
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
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
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