Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million skin cancer cases are diagnosed annually. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime (http://www.skincancer.org/about-us.html).
In addition to skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in the United States, the rate of being diagnosed with skin cancer is exceptionally greater in Utah than most other states. As of 2004, between 250,000 and 300,000 individuals develop melanoma of the skin in the state of Utah (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/state.htm). In 2005 alone, 554 Utahans were diagnosed with melanoma, up from 494 in 2004. This means that on average melanoma kills 63 Utah residents every year (Filion, 2008).
1. Filion, Kalynn. (2008, June 11). Utah's Skin Cancer Rate is 'Sky' High. [Press Release]. Salt Lake City: Utah Department of Health.
The UV radiaton photo you have is really neat! I had no idea that damage can occur to your skin and you won't even be able to tell.
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