Epidemiology of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.


METHODS
Review and research articles, book chapters, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data.


CONCLUSIONS
In 2002, an estimated 1.3 million Americans were diagnosed with skin cancer. Of these, 53,000 individuals were diagnosed with melanoma, the most common fatal form of skin cancer, and more than 7,000 Americans died of melanoma. Nonmelanoma skin cancer has the highest incidence of all cancers and the rise in the rate of cutaneous melanoma exceeds all other preventable cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can act as case-finders and as advocates and educators for prevention of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Nurses should ascertain possible inherited risk and monitor patients for additional primary skin cancers.
Geller
Alan C
AC
School of Medicine, and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, MA, USA.
Annas
George D
GD
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D018426:SEER Program; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology