Skin Cancer Reference

There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, the most common; Squamous Cell Carcinoma the second most common, and Malignant Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Malignant Melanoma

There are several factors behind the development of skin cancer. The most important is sun exposure before the age of 18. Most sun damage occurs before the age of 18 (90% of your sun damage occurs from 1 to 18 yrs of age) so it is extra important to protect the skin during these years.

There is usually a delay from a series of intensive sun exposures to the first skin cancer occurring. What is concerning to physicians, is that we are seeing an increase in the numbers of skin cancer cases that are occurring in our younger population. Melanoma skin cancer is an example of this, today ranking among the deadliest type of cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 30. We also recommend that our patients have an annual total body skin examination. A baseline eye exam is also recommended by our staff because melanoma can occur here (retinal region of eye) and this is an area which we normally do not evaluate. Ask your eye doctor about the OPTOMAP™ scan. It involves a simple scan and no dilating eye drops are required.

SKIN CANCER STATISTICS

(from www.aad.org courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology)

• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year (2008).
• Basal cell and Squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer, but are easily treated if detected early.
• Current estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
• Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.
• Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age group. In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing melanoma which may be due to high-risk tanning behaviors.
• Melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable with five-year survival rates exceeding 90 percent.
• 1 in 58 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. Caucasians and men over 50 years of age are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
• It is estimated that there will be about 116,500 new cases of melanoma in 2008 - 54,020 noninvasive (in situ) and 62,480 invasive (34,950 men and 27,530 women).
• One American dies of melanoma almost every hour (every 62 minutes). In 2008, 8,420 deaths will be attributed to melanoma - 5,400 men and 3,020 women.
• The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 65,161 people a year worldwide die from too much sun, mostly from malignant skin cancer.
• More than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.
• The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99 percent.
• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 billion.
• The American Cancer Society recommends periodic skin examination as part of any cancer related check-up depending on a person's age and gender.
• Individuals with a history of melanoma should have a full body exam at least annually and perform regular self-exams for new and changing moles.
• Five-year survival rates for regional and distant stage melanomas are 65% and 15%, respectively.

Prevention and early detection, however, remain the key to an excellent outcome. By quickly recognizing a precancerous lesion, an unusual mole or other non-healing sore spot, you may quickly identify and eliminate any potential cancer risk from your body.

If you are concerned about a mole or spot, it is wise to have our experts evaluate the lesion. Remember, early prevention and diagnosis gives you the best chance for a cure!
Click here to set up an appointment or call 904-285-7546. We look forward to helping you.