About Skin Cancer in Salt Lake City, UT
(from The Surgeon General’s Call to Prevent Skin Cancer: www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer)
- Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and most cases are preventable. Skin cancer greatly affects quality of life, and it can be disfiguring or even deadly. Medical treatment for skin cancer creates substantial health care costs for individuals, families, and the nation. The number of Americans who have had skin cancer at some point in the last three decades is estimated to be higher than the number for all other cancers combined, and skin cancer incidence rates have continued to increase in recent years.
- Each year in the United States, nearly 5 million people are treated for all skin cancers combined, with an annual cost estimated at $8.1 billion.
- Every year, there are more than 63,000 new cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, resulting in nearly 9,000 deaths. It is also one of the most common types of cancer among U.S. adolescents and young adults. Annually, about $3.3 billion of skin cancer treatment costs are attributable to melanoma.
- Anyone can get skin cancer. Although those with lighter skin are at higher risk of getting skin cancer, those with darker skin may often be diagnosed at a later stage, making it difficult to treat.
- More than 1 out of every 3 Americans reports getting sunburned each year. Sunburn is a clear sign of overexposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays, a major cause of skin cancer.
- More than 400,000 cases of skin cancer, about 6,000 of which are melanomas, are estimated to be related to indoor tanning in the U.S. each year.
- Tanned skin is damaged skin, yet nearly 1 out of every 3 young white women engages in indoor tanning each year.
March 2017
Additional Resources on Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer Prevention
- Skin Care & Aging
- Skin Cancer Information
- UV Radiation and Skin Cancer
- American College of Mohs Surgery
- https://www.skincancermohssurgery.org/about-skin-cancer
- https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/call-to-action-prevent-skin-cancer.pdf
Worried you have skin cancer? Call Dr Ivan D Flint Dermatology at (801) 262-3600 to schedule a consultation today!