Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin.
It is estimated that almost half of all Americans will have had at least one skin cancer by the time they reach age 65, with most of those cancers appearing after age 50. Skin cancer is more common in people with fair skin that freckles easily, light or red hair, and blue eyes. It is also found more on exposed parts of the body. Because of this, people who are exposed to a lot of sun are advised to cover up or use sunscreen to protect their skin. Nine out of 10 skin cancers are of the mildest form, known as basal cell cancers or rodent ulcers.