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Melanoma/Skin Cancer

May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. More than 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. While most cases are highly treatable when caught early, the disease is still expected to claim more than 11,000 American lives in 2008.

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Quick Facts

Squamous and basal cell cancers make up the majority of the 1 million-plus skin cancer cases diagnosed each year.

More than 62,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2008.

Of the 11,200 skin cancer deaths this year, melanoma is expected to account for more than 8,000 of them.

The 5-year relative survival rate for patients with melanoma is 91 percent.

Skin cancer symptoms include any change on the skin or to a mole; a sore that won't heal; or growing lumps, often with a rough surface.

(Source: The American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts and Figures 2008)