Arkansas sees above national average for melanoma cases
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Arkansas saw above the national average of melanoma diagnoses in recent years as doctors are diagnosing more people with skin cancer.
Why it matters: Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Zoom in: Arkansas had 23.6 new cases of melanoma per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020, while the national average was 22.6. Yet, it had the 28th-highest rate of the 48 states with available data.
By the numbers: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the nation.
- New cases of melanoma rose 2-3% annually from 2015 through 2019, Axios' Tina Reed reports.
- Skin cancer cases have risen among people over 50, says Shanthi Sivendran, ACS senior vice president of cancer care support.
- ACS estimates that about 100,640 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year.
What they're saying: "People who get periodically sunburnt frequently tend to have a higher risk of developing melanoma," says Henry Lim, a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- And sun exposure has a clear connection to basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.
Yes, but: Increased sun exposure isn't the only possible reason for the uptick in melanoma diagnoses.
- Other factors include better detection methods and the fact that many Americans are living longer, Sivendran says.
Using sunscreen is helpful for preventing skin cancer, as well as wrinkles and skin discoloration.
- More tips for avoiding sun damage include staying in the shade, wearing hats and other protective clothing, and using/reapplying sunscreen.
Go deeper: How to pick a "safe" sunscreen.