Other Skin Cancers

Skin cancers that are not melanomas are sometimes grouped as non-melanoma skin cancers because they develop from skin cells other than melanocytes. They tend to behave very differently from melanomas and are often treated in different ways.

Most non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell or squamous cell cancers. They are by far the most common skin cancers, and actually are more common than any other form of cancer. Because they rarely spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are usually less concerning and are treated differently than melanoma.

SKIN CANCER STATISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES

• Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
• Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
• It is estimated that approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.

 Statistics courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology

MORE ABOUT MELANOMA
CLINICAL TRIALS FOR MELANOMA
WHAT'S YOUR RISK FOR MELANOMA?
YOUR GUIDE TO EARLY DETECTION
SKIN CANCER IN PEOPLE OF COLOR
TIPS FOR PREVENTION