About skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 1 million Americans develop skin cancer each year.

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers make up 95 percent of all skin cancers. They are less serious and are highly curable when treated early. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It is more difficult to control, and it causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths. Left untreated, it can spread to other organs.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the number one cause of skin cancer. Long-term exposure to the sun or other sources of UV radiation, such as tanning beds, can cause skin cancer. If you had severe sunburns, especially before age 18, you may also get skin cancer later in life.

Who is at risk for skin cancer?

Anyone can get skin cancer. People with the highest risk are those who have fair or freckled skin that burns easily, light-colored eyes, and blond or red hair.

Other risk factors include:

• A family history or personal history of skin cancer
• Having an outdoor job
• Living in a sunny climate
• A history of severe sunburns
• Having many large and irregularly shaped moles

What are the signs of skin cancer?

• A new mole
• A change in an existing mole
• An unexplained skin lesion

If you notice changes to your skin or a mole that you can’t explain, visit your doctor.

For more information about how to identify signs of skin cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/skin.