Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month, held each May, focuses on the most common cancer in the United States – skin cancer. It is estimated that approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed with this cancer every day in the United States.1
Many of these skin cancers could be prevented if people protected their skin from the sun and avoided sunbeds.
During Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) brings you insights to help you protect your skin. The AAD also shares information that can help you find skin cancer. If detected early, skin cancer is very treatable.
Important facts to know about melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. In 2024, it is estimated that more than 200,340 melanomas will be diagnosed and approximately 8,290 people will die from melanoma.3
That’s why the AAD encourages everyone to start a lifelong habit of checking their skin by performing skin self-exams. This is why these tests are so important:
- Caught early, melanoma is very treatable.
- Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, including skin that has had a lot of sun exposure and skin that is normally protected from the sun.
- Melanoma can develop under or around a fingernail or toenail.
- You can find melanoma early by examining your skin for the ABCDE of melanoma and checking your nails.
Dermatologists recommend that everyone check their skin for signs of skin cancer. People of all skin tones develop skin cancer. Examining your skin can help you catch signs early.
Sun protection can reduce the risk of skin cancer
Protecting the skin from the sun plays a key role in preventing skin cancer. However, a 2024 AAD survey found that more than 1 in 3 Americans (36%) said they would get a sunburn in 2023. This is a significant increase compared to 2022.4
The 2024 study also found that Generation Z adults are less likely to know important facts that can help them protect their skin from the sun. Here are the most important facts to know:
- When you’re outside, protect your skin by seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, and applying sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and an SPF of 30 or higher. The AAD calls this Practicing Safe Sun.
- Sun protection is important every day of the year. You can get sunburned on a cloudy day and in winter.5
- You need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. It is a myth that sunscreens with higher SPF can be applied less frequently.
To learn how to use sunscreen, clothing and sun protection to protect your skin, go to Practice Safe Sun.
What will you do during Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month?
Now that you know the facts, what will you do this month to reduce your risk of skin cancer and detect skin cancer early when it’s highly treatable?
If you practice Safe Sun, you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer and premature aging.
Developing a lifelong habit of checking your skin for skin cancer can help you find skin cancer early. To begin skin testing, some people sign up for an AAD-free skin cancer screening. Others make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening.
If you still have questions about how to detect skin cancer early or reduce your risk of skin cancer, a board-certified dermatologist can help. Nobody knows your skin better. You can find a dermatologist near you by visiting Find a Dermatologist.