What is Skin Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the skin, it is called skin cancer. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types of skin cancer. They begin in the basal and squamous layers of the skin, respectively. Melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, begins in the melanocytes. Melanoma causes the most deaths among all types of skin cancer, and incidence rates have increased over time.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer. Don’t be the 1.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. 1 in 5 Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70. It is estimated that nearly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every day. More than 2 people die from skin cancer every hour. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.