On this page: The number of new cases of melanoma skin cancer
increased between 1975 and 2009, with a projected number of
76,250 new cases in 2012. More than two million people were
diagnosed with basal cell and/or squamous cell (non-melanoma)
skin cancer in the United States in 2006. Basal and squamous
cell cancers are the two most common types of cancers in the
country. Although 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age
65 will have non-melanoma at least once, most of these
cancers—as well as melanoma, the deadliest form of skin
cancer—can be prevented. Studies suggest that reducing
unprotected exposure to the sun and avoiding artificial
ultraviolet (UV) light from indoor tanning beds, tanning booths,
and sun lamps can lower the risk of skin cancer. Avoiding
sunburns, intermittent high-intensity sun exposure, indoor UV
tanning, and other damage from these sources—especially in
children, teens, and young adults—reduces the chances of getting
melanoma skin cancer. Although these types of skin cancers do o