Safety From the Sun
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed each year. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the leading risk factor for skin cancer. Anyone can get skin cancer, so protect yourself by learning about this and other skin cancer risk factors, the signs and symptoms of the different kinds of skin cancer, and what treatment options are available.
The two major types of skin cancer are nonmelanoma (basal cell and squamous cell cancer) and melanoma. Although melanoma is rare compared to nonmelanoma, more than 68,000 Americans are expected to learn this year that they have this deadliest form of the disease. Protect yourself and your family this summer and all year round, and be sure to seek early treatment, if necessary.
On this page Know Your Skin Cancer Risk and Protect Yourself
 | Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)- What You Need to Know About™ Skin Cancer – This booklet will help you learn the risk factors that may lead to nonmelanoma skin cancer and guide you through steps you can take to reduce your risk.
- What You Need To Know About™ Moles and Dysplastic Nevi – This booklet presents easy-to-understand information about moles on the skin and how they relate to melanoma.
- Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle – Explore this interactive site about cancer risk and test your knowledge of skin cancer.
- Skin Cancer Prevention (PDQ®) Patient Summary – Learn about risk factors and ways to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancer in this easy-to-read, expert-reviewed summary.
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®) Patient Summary – This summary discusses a rare but often deadly form of skin cancer. See also Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Questions and Answers.
- Genetics of Skin Cancer (PDQ®) Health Professional Summary – This summary discusses the technical aspects of skin cancer genetics and is designed for health professionals.
Melanoma |
Talk to Your Doctor About Skin Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
 | - A change on the skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This may be a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a change in a mole or a birthmark.
- Talk to your doctor as soon as possible about any symptoms that concern you.
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Learn About Recent Research Findings
 | - Experimental Drug Improves Survival in Advanced Melanoma – Learn about a new drug that has helped extend the lives of patients with advanced melanoma in this article from the June 15, 2010, NCI Cancer Bulletin.
- Cancer Trends Progress Report on Sun Protection – This report on the behavioral factors associated with protection from excess sun exposure finds that only 58 percent of adults say they protect themselves from the sun.
- NIH Study Reveals New Genetic Culprit in Deadly Skin Cancer – NIH researchers found that a gene not associated previously with melanoma was mutated in 19 percent of advanced melanoma cases they studied, according to this NCI news release.
- Melanoma Snapshot (PDF – 340kb) – This document highlights recent research progress and investments in the study of melanoma.
- Clinical trials offer the opportunity to help advance treatment for skin cancer and provide access to new therapies. Search these lists of clinical trials about different kinds of skin cancer.
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General Information About Skin Cancer
Questions about cancer? - To talk with someone in English or Spanish, call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
- Visit our Contact page for more help options.
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