What to know
- CDC leads efforts to reduce illness and death caused by skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States. Some activities are listed below.
Melanoma Dashboard
The Melanoma Dashboard was created in partnership with CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program to help communities prevent melanoma. It shows state and county data on how often melanoma happens, how many people die from it, and how much ultraviolet (UV) light reaches a particular area. It also shows state laws about minors using indoor tanning devices and whether schools allow sunscreen.
Research and surveillance
- A study used survey data to estimate the percentage of adults in the U.S. who had seen or heard about the Ultraviolet Index, the percentage who had checked it in the past month, and the percentage who took steps to protect their skin if the Ultraviolet Index was high.
- A study found that among non-Hispanic White women between 18 and 49, about 18% used sunless tanning products and 12% engaged in indoor tanning.
- A study found that high school students who play on sports teams are more likely to get a sunburn than students who don't play on sports teams.
- A study calculated incidence rates and trends of invasive cutaneous melanoma among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people.
- A study used national data to look at rates of acral lentiginous melanoma by race and ethnicity. Acral lentiginous melanoma is rare. It makes up less than 20% of all melanomas.
- A study looked at the cost of skin cancer treatment in the United States. During 2016 to 2018, more than 6 million adults were treated for skin cancer each year. The overall estimated annual costs were nearly $9 billion.
- A study examined beliefs about sunscreen use among non-Hispanic White adults aged 50 years or older using online survey data.
- A study looked at the contexts in which sunburns often occur. Swimming or spending time in water, working outside at home, traveling or vacationing, and engaging in physical activity other than swimming were the most frequently reported activities.