CDC - Skin Cancer

CDC - Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

To lower your skin cancer risk, protect your skin from the sun and avoid indoor tanning. Follow these easy options—

• Stay in the shade, especially during late morning through mid-afternoon.
• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection.
• Avoid indoor tanning.

Next: Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is skin cancer?
• What are the risk factors?
• What are the symptoms?
• What can I do to reduce my risk?
• What screening tests are there?
• How can I protect my children from the sun?
• Are there benefits to spending time outdoors?

CDC’s Latest Research

• Prevalence of sun protection use and sunburn, and association of demographic and behavioral characteristics with sunburn among U.S. adults
• Counseling on sun protection and indoor tanning
• Intentional outdoor tanning in the United States

More research

Featured Resources

The Skin Cancer Prevention Progress Reportsummarizes recent prevention efforts and highlights new data, developments, and success stories.

As an educator, you can protect students from skin cancer. Keep students sun safe, and teach them to avoid indoor tanning.

This infographic explains how to use a layered approach to protect all the skin you’re in.

“I learned the hard way: a tan is not a sign of health,” writes melanoma survivor Sharon McKenna.

In this session of Grand Rounds, experts discuss how we can help people protect their skin and their lives while enjoying the outdoors.

Despite efforts to address risk factors, skin cancer rates have continued to increase. The The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Canceroutlines actions everyone can take to reverse this alarming trend.