Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Are the most common forms of skin cancer.

• Arise within the top layer of the skin and usually appear on the sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, forearms, and neck, as a scaly area or bump that persists and bleeds.

• If detected and treated early, these cancers have a better than 95 percent cure rate.

Melanoma

• Is the most deadly form of skin cancer.

• May suddenly appear without warning, but also can develop from or near a mole.

• Is found most frequently in men over age 50.

• Can occur anywhere on the body, but are most common on the upper backs of men and women and on the legs of women.

• Tends to spread, making treatment essential.

Statistics

(Sources: AAD and the American Cancer Society’s 2004 Facts & Figures)

• More than half of all new cancers are skin cancers.

• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, about 80 percent are basal cell, 16 percent are squamous cell, and 4 percent are melanoma.

• In 2004, an estimated 10,250 people will die of skin cancer - 7,910 from melanoma and 2,340 from other skin cancers.

• In 2004, there will be about 95,880 new cases of melanoma - 40,780 in situ (noninvasive) and 55,100 invasive (29,900 men and 25,200 women). This is a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2003.

• In 2004, 7,910 deaths will be attributed to melanoma – 5,050 men and 2,860 women.

• Melanoma is more common than any non-skin cancer among women between 25 and 29 years old.

• One person dies of melanoma every hour.

Risk Factors

• Overexposure to ultraviolet light (from the sun and indoor tanning) is the greatest risk factor for skin cancer.

• In a 2002 survey conducted by the AAD, 81 percent of survey respondents still think they look good after having been out in the sun.

• Caucasians with fair skin have four times the risk of developing melanoma as Caucasians with olive skin.

• People who have already had one melanoma are at increased risk for developing melanoma.

• People who have many moles, large moles or atypical (unusual) moles have a substantially increased risk of developing melanoma.

• Redheads and blondes have a twofold to fourfold increased risk of developing melanoma.

• A family history of melanoma increases a person’s chances of developing melanoma.

Prevention of Skin Cancer

Protection from ultraviolet light may prevent many skin cancers (See the Sun Safety page).

Treatments

• When detected early, dermatologic surgical removal of thin melanomas and the majority of basal and squamous cell carcinomas can cure the disease in most cases.

• Early detection is essential; there is a direct correlation between the thickness of the melanoma and survival rates.

• In addition to the surgical removal, other treatments include electrodesicciation (tissue destruction by heat), cryosurgery (tissue destruction by freezing), laser therapy for skin cancer, and radiation therapy.

See your dermatologist for successful diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.