Jun 18, 2024 - Health
Florida has higher melanoma rates than the rest of the country as cases rise
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Doctors are diagnosing more Floridians with melanoma than the national average.
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: Florida's rate of new cases — approximately 24.5 per 100,000 people each year — is above the national average of 22.5.
The big picture: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S.
- New cases of melanoma rose 2% to 3% annually between 2015 and 2019, Axios' Tina Reed reports.
- In particular, there's been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer over the age of 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 in 2024.
What they're saying: Using sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer (along with wrinkles and skin discoloration), but experts say it shouldn't be the only thing you do.
- Wearing protective clothing — like a hat or UV-blocking shirt — and avoiding being outside in the middle of the day when the sun shines strongest will also make a difference, Cindy Firkins Smith, a Minnesota-based dermatologist, told Axios Twin Cities.