Melanoma is much less common than non-melanoma skin cancers, but it is far more serious. Nationally, it accounts for about 4 percent of skin cancer cases but causes about 79 percent of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that skin cancer claims the lives of nearly 10,000 Americans annually. Many Vermonters may not believe they are at risk for skin cancer and therefore take few precautions to avoid overexposure. However, data show that Vermont's melanoma death rate is actually higher than the U.S. rate.
Skin cancer is more common among individuals with lightly pigmented skin.
Individuals with sun-sensitive skin types, such as those who easily burn and have little ability to tan, tend to be at greater risk for skin cancer due to the higher likelihood of acute sunburns when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Cumulative sunlight exposure over a prolonged period may also be important in the development of non-melanoma skin cancer. Episodic, relatively infrequent exposure to a large amount of sunlight sufficient to cause sunburn is believed to play a major role in the development of melanoma. Malignant melanoma when diagnosed at an early stage can usually be cured, but melanoma diagnosed at a late stage is more likely to spread and cause death.