The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the most serious, malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form. It's estimated to affect at least 800,000 people each year, many of them older Americans. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. It's estimated to affect at least 200,000 people each year.
Malignant melanoma can be fatal.
It untreated, it can spread throughout the entire body. It's estimated that in 1998, malignant melanoma will affect at least 41,600 people, causing 7,300 deaths. Malignant melanoma is responsible for 70 percent of all skin cancer deaths. Another 1,900 deaths will be caused by non-melanoma skin cancers. Over 1 million Americans get skin cancer each year, making it the most common form of cancer in the United States.