Skin Cancer – Overview

Skin cancers are malignant growths of the skin. Each year, more than one million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer.

The most common types of skin cancer affect the epidermis: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The least common but most deadly type of skin cancer is melanoma, a cancer that arises from pigment-producing melanocytes. Skin cancers develop when damaged skin cells grow out of control, usually because of the effects of sun exposure.

People of all ages and skin tones may get skin cancer; however, certain risk factors increase the possibility of developing the condition, including:

• excess sun exposure or a history of severe sunburn
• use of tanning beds
• fair skin (phototype I and II); red, blonde, or light brown hair; and blue, green, or gray eyes
• family or personal history of skin cancer
• freckles or a large number of moles