Melanoma Skin Cancer on the Rise

Melanoma Skin Cancer on the Rise

According to the American Cancer Society,* more than 2 million people were treated for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers in 2006. Most, but not all, of these forms of skin cancer are highly curable.

The most common serious form of skin cancer is melanoma, which is expected to be diagnosed in about 68,130 persons in 2010. Melanoma is primarily a disease of whites; rates are more than 10 times higher in whites than in African Americans. Among whites, rates are more than 50% higher in men than in women.

Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for at least 30 years. In the most recent time period, rapid increases have occurred among young white women (3% per year since 1992 in those aged 15 to 39 years) and white adults 65 years and older (5.1% per year since 1985 in men and 4.1% per year since 1975 in women).

Get the Facts About Melanoma and Sun Safety

Learn About Penn's Melanoma Program led by Lynn Schuchter, MD

Today there's more hope than ever for those who face melanoma. Abramson Cancer Center's melanoma researchers and clinicians have led the way nationally, for decades, in understanding the causes of melanoma and in finding more effective treatments.

By putting our experience to work, we offer the best possible treatment outcomes.

*Cancer Facts and Figures, 2010 (p19)