Melanoma and Skin Cancer Facts
Rates of new melanoma cases (both sexes)
- Rates of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S., continue to rise sharply, especially among people over 50 years old.
- Melanoma represents only about 2 percent of all skin cancer cases, but is responsible for most of the deaths.
- Among people under 45 years old, incidence is highest among women.
- Among people over 45 years old, incidence is highest among men.
- Risk factors include:
- sun exposure
- fair skin that burns easily and a history of severe sunburns
- using tanning beds and sunlamps
- personal and family history of skin cancer
- exposure to arsenic and petroleum-based chemicals.
Prevention tips
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Seek shade, cover your skin, use effective sunscreen and don’t use tanning beds. EWG’s sunscreen guide can help you find safe, effective products.
- Reduce arsenic exposure. Arsenic is a natural water contaminant in some areas. Consider using a filter certified to remove arsenic. It is also found in some foods, especially rice.
- When handling petroleum-based products, such as oils, mineral oils, tars, creosote and other sooty materials, use gloves or other protection to avoid direct skin contact. Work in well-ventilated areas.
- Fish that are high on the food chain such as swordfish, shark and mackerel, as well as farmed salmon, can accumulate polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and mercury – avoid these species! See EWG’s Consumer Guide to Seafood for more information.
- Skin cancers can be treated if detected early. Get screened regularly and have any suspicious moles examined by a doctor.
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