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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancers are divided into two groups: nonmelanoma and melanomas of the skin. Nonmelanoma skin cancer includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the most common forms of skin cancer. Both are considered highly treatable. Melanomas of the skin are less common but more likely to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, making them more serious forms of skin cancer.
General Statistics
Leading Cause of Death
- Melanomas of the skin are the 19th leading cause of cancer deaths in Illinois
- In Illinois, melanomas of the skin incidence and mortality rates are higher in males than females
- In Illinois, melanomas of the skin incidence and mortality rates are highest in White populations
New Diagnoses (Incidence)
- In the United States, the incidence of melanomas of the skin has increased from 20.0 per 100,000 in 2008 to 22.7 per 100,000 in 2017
- In Illinois, the incidence of melanomas of the skin has increased from 17.9 per 100,000 in 2008 to 22.7 per 100,000 in 2017
- In 2017, there were a total of 85,686 new cases of melanomas of the skin in the United States and a total of 3,288 new cases of melanomas of the skin cases Illinois
- Between 2013 and 2017, melanomas of the skin were the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer in Illinois
Deaths (Mortality)
- In the United States, mortality from melanomas of the skin has decreased from 2.7 per 100,000 in 2008 to 2.1 per 100,000 in 2017
- In Illinois, mortality from melanomas of the skin has decreased from 2.3 per 100,000 in 2008 to 2.0 per 100,000 in 2017
- In 2017, there were a total of 8,056 deaths from melanoma in the United States and a total of 300 deaths from melanoma in Illinois
Risk Factors
Risk factors for skin cancer include:
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from natural or artificial sunlight
- Fair complexion
- Light-colored skin
- Freckling
- Blue or green eyes
- Blond or red hair
- Light-colored skin
- Moles
- Personal history of skin cancer
- Family history of skin cancer
- Older age
- Exposure to arsenic
- Radiation treatment
- Weakened immune system
Prevention and Early Detection
Skin cancer is not preventable, but certain factors can lower your risk:
- Limit exposure to UV radiation
- Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time
- Avoid being in the sun in the middle of the day when UV radiation is most intense
- Wear sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses
- Use sunscreen:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
- Put on all exposed skin 30 minutes before going out
- Reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating, and toweling off
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
- Avoid artificial sunlight such as sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning salons
- Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time
- Examine skin regularly
- Teach children to protect themselves from the sun
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to determine the balance of benefits and harms of visual examination by a health care provider to screen for skin cancer in adults.
Melanomas of the Skin Measures for Illinois
Cancer Measure | Baseline (per 100,000) (2017) | Target (per 100,000) (2025) |
---|---|---|
Incidence rate |
22.7 | 28.2 |
Mortality rate |
2.0 | 1.8 |
Melanomas of the Skin Incidence and Mortality by Race and Ethnicity in Illinois (2017)
Race/Ethnicity | Male and Female Incidence (per 100,000) | Male and Female Mortality (per 100,000) |
---|---|---|
All Races (includes Hispanic) |
22.7 | 2.0 |
White (includes Hispanic) |
27.0 | 2.4 |
Black (Includes Hispanic) |
Data not available | Data not available |
Hispanic |
5.5 | Data not available |
Asian/Pacific Islander |
Data not available | Data not available |
American Indian/Alaska Native |
Data not available | Data not available |
Race/Ethnicity | Male Incidence (per 100,000) | Female Incidence (per 100,000) | Male Mortality (per 100,000) | Female Mortality (per 100,000) |
---|---|---|---|---|
All Races |
28.2 | 18.7 | 2.9 | 1.4 |
White |
32.9 | 22.7 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
Black |
0.8 | 0.7 | Data not available | Data not available |
White Non-Hispanic |
Data not available | Data not available | 3.7 | 1.8 |
Hispanic (any race) |
Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
Asian/Other Races |
2.1 | 1.3 | Data not available | Data not available |
Other Races |
Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
Melanomas of the Skin - 20 Counties with Highest Incidence in Illinois (2013-2017)
Overall State Incidence
20.4
County | Incidence (per 100,000) |
---|---|
Piatt |
51.4 |
Ford |
45.4 |
De Witt |
43.3 |
Woodford |
36.8 |
McLean |
35.0 |
Hamilton |
35.0 |
Mercer |
35.0 |
Douglas |
34.4 |
Pike |
33.2 |
Marion |
31.9 |
Adams |
31.6 |
Bureau |
31.5 |
Lee |
31.4 |
Williamson |
30.7 |
Ogle |
30.4 |
Coles |
29.7 |
Iroquois |
29.7 |
Livingston |
29.7 |
Champaign |
29.6 |
Franklin |
29.3 |
Hancock |
29.3 |