Skin Cancer Statistics

October brings well-deserved awareness to the research efforts, organizations, and people working on a cure for breast cancer and helping those affected by it. Check out retail products that give back in Think Pink (in the current issue) to step up your spa's charitable contribution. For example, Gotham Skincare (New York City) offers a Pink Cranberry Facial ($99) and donates a portion of proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Outreach for the more than 100 different types of cancer shouldn’t be limited to one month, though. In the spa industry, skin cancer is another that garners significant attention. Here are 10 facts about skin cancer from Gotham Skincare:

  1. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than two million Americans are diagnosed annually.
  2. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
  3. Skin cancer develops in people of all colors, from the palest to the darkest skinned.
  4. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. In some cases, skin cancer is an inherited condition.
  5. Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, forming tumors.
  6. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.
  7. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
  8. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common, yet, one person dies of melanoma every hour (every 57 minutes).
  9. More people develop skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking.
  10. Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 40 percent and the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.

 

How does your spa keep clients informed about skin cancer risk and prevention?