Lifetime Probability of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), primarily basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common cancers in the United States. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop NMSC by age 70. An estimated 3.3 million people are treated for NMSC each year, involving about 5.4 million individual skin cancers.

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for about 80% of NMSC and is the most common of all cancers. While BCC very rarely metastasizes, it can be locally destructive if untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 20% of NMSC and carries a small risk of metastasis (about 2-5%). Combined, NMSC causes about 2,000 deaths per year in the US, mostly from SCC.

UV radiation exposure is the primary risk factor, with both chronic sun exposure and sunburns contributing. Other risk factors include fair skin, light hair/eyes, family history, immune suppression, and exposure to certain chemicals. Prevention includes regular sunscreen use (SPF 30+, reapplied every 2 hours), protective clothing, avoiding peak UV hours (10 AM - 4 PM), and avoiding indoor tanning (which increases NMSC risk by 67%). Treatment options include surgical excision, Mohs surgery (which has the highest cure rate at 99%), cryotherapy, topical chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.