According to the National Cancer Institute, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in this country, and about one million Americans develop skin cancer each year. Prevalence is on the rise and according to current estimates, 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.

The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma; each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it develops. Skin cancer generally forms in the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis), so a tumor is often times clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages. As a result, the cure rate for skin cancer could be 100 percent, if all skin cancers were brought to a doctor's attention as soon as they were identified.

Melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, is most dangerous, especially among young people. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 9,000 people die each year from skin cancer and about 7,000 of these deaths are from melanoma. About 65 percent to 90 percent of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight. Other risk factors for skin cancer include heredity, smoking, environmental or occupational exposure to chemical compounds, previous sunburns, skin type, and/or an immunodeficiency.

The costs for cancer in the United States each year is approximately $107 billion. This cost includes $37 billion for direct medical costs, $11 billion for morbidity costs (cost of lost productivity), and $59 billion for mortality costs.

 Legislation

2009 Massachusetts Senate Bill 284: Establishes a skin cancer and sun safety education program in public schools

2009 Massachusetts 2009 New York Assembly Bill 5492: Requires tanning facilities to post on each ultraviolet radiation device a label that informs customers regarding the risks of skin cancer

2009 Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 338: Recognizes the month of May 2010 as Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

What states can do

• Develop and promote skin cancer education and awareness campaigns and programs
• Adopt tanning bed regulations such as age and usage limitations
• Support incentive programs for clinicians in prevention efforts
• Pass along Public Service Announcements from The American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/media/psa/index.html
• For further policy and advocacy tips contact:

Kathryn Guccione Chandra, MA
Assistant Director, State Policy 
American Academy of Dermatology Association 
1445 New York, Ave., NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005-2134
Tel. 202-712-2615
kchandra@aad.org

Additional Resources

Press Release: The Federal Trade Commission case against The Indoor Tanning Association

Consumer Health Information from The Food and Drug Administration

American Academy of Dermatology Facts about Skin Cancer

National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin  
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/  
The Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.skincancer.org/  
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org
American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/