Sun Safety Practices—Progress Made, More to Go

Collectively, nonmelanoma skin cancer—including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma—and melanoma are the most common cancers diagnosed in the United States. The direct cost of managing these conditions in the United States, according to 2013 data, was more than $6 billion annually.¹ The prevalence of these conditions is highest in fair-skinned individuals exposed to intense sunlight, such as those living in Australia or in the southern United States.² High prevalence of melanoma is also seen in fair-skinned individuals exposed to intense, intermittent sun exposure, such as those living in Scandinavian countries or in the northern United States.³