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The most common type of Skin Cancer is called Melanoma. Melanoma is a type of cancer that forms in melanocytes (pigment producing cells). Of the many different types of melanoma, most are seen in the skin including nail beds, soles of the feet, and scalp. However, it can also be found in the eye, anal canal, rectum, and vagina. Melanoma is on the rise in the United States , accounting for about 4% of all cancers. The amount of new cases has increases steadily each year, but researchers are unsure why.
Other types of skin cancer include:
Skin Cancer occurs mainly in people with fair skin, light eyes, and those who tend to freckle or burn easily during and after exposure to the sunlight. A history of 3 or more sunburns, particularly blistering sunburns (before age 20) greatly increases risk. A history of severe sunburns in childhood and adolescence may actually double the risk of melanoma in adulthood.