Photo Credit: Robin Johnson

Recently my husband was diagnosed with skin cancer. It is basal cell carcinoma which is the most common form of skin cancer and is rarely fatal. It has come to my attention how common skin cancer is and how much awareness is needed. It is hard to believe that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer; it is not only the fair skinned blondes that get it. I urge everyone to be checked. Skin cancer is a far too common of a problem that can be treated successfully when caught early. If you live in the Davis County area, I suggest Dr. John Robison in Bountiful, Utah.

Review the Facts:

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
• Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; about one million of the cases diagnosed annually are BCCs. BCCs are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 250,000 cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
• BCC and SCC are the two major forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once.
• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers was more than $1 billion.
• About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
• Up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.
• Contrary to popular belief, 80 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18; only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.

Lifetime UV Exposure in the United States

Ages

Average Accumulated Exposure*

1-18

22.73 percent

19-40

46.53 percent

41-59

73.7 percent

60-78

100 percent

*Based on a 78 year lifespan

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.skincancer.org/

Links:

American Academy of Dermatology

Skin Cancer Awareness Guide

Save Your Skin 10K Race

& 2 mile awareness fun walk

(this is an annual event)

September 17, 2011

Come help us promote skin cancer prevention.

Location: Davis County, Utah

click here to learn more about the event

Area Training Groups:

Local Running Club: South Davis Road Runners

Triathlon Club: Northern Utah Triathletes

TBR (Coached Coed Teams - running & triathlon): Team Blonde Runner