Melanoma and Skin Cancer

For the past two decades, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of skin cancer and melanoma cases globally. As the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma is becoming a greater health risk each year, with incidence increasing faster in number than any other type of cancer. In the United States alone, the percentage of people who develop melanoma has more than doubled since the 1970’s. One of the most preventable types of cancer, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year with approximately 116,500 new cases of melanoma.

Today, many believe that most skin cancers and melanoma are caused by excessive sun exposure, with the greatest risk from multiple sunburns.  It is estimated that nearly 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. While most skin cancers are not life-threatening, melanoma can become a more serious disease without early screening and detection. In advanced stages, melanoma has the ability to metastasize (or spread) to all parts of the body. Everybody can develop some form of skin cancer or melanoma, although Caucasians, fair-skinned individuals, and those who burn easily are most at risk, with genetics also playing a role. Surgery is often considered the main treatment option for most skin cancers and melanoma, and is usually curative in the early-stages.