Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics

In 2017, over 160,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma. Of these, 87,000 will be diagnosed with invasive (Stage I, II, III or IV) melanoma and another 74,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma in situ (1).

Every hour of every day one American dies from melanoma – that’s almost 10,000 people per year (1).

By 2017, it is estimated that one in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime (1).

The estimated cost of treating melanoma is approximately $3.3 billion each year (2).

Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in young women ages 25-30 and the second leading cause of cancer death in women ages 30-35 (3).

Nearly 90% of melanomas are thought to be caused by over exposure to UV light, both from natural and artificial sources (2).

Every year in the U.S. nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer, at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion (2).

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime

Approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.

More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.

Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.