The American Cancer Society projected 97,610 new melanoma cases in the United States in 2024. It also projected 2,001,140 new nonmelanoma skin cancer cases, including keratinocyte carcinomas. Survival and incidence move in opposite directions for many patients, so the statistics focus on how earlier detection and UV risk reduction change outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- 97,610 new melanoma cases were projected for 2024 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS)
- 2,001,140 new nonmelanoma skin cancer cases (keratinocyte carcinomas) were projected for 2024 in the United States, per ACS
- In 2022, the US recorded an estimated 5.3 million new basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cases combined (SEER-based estimates referenced by the Skin Cancer Foundation)
- The SEER melanoma fact sheet lists 5-year relative survival for distant-stage melanoma at about 30% (SEER Stat/Facts)
- A 2023 systematic review/meta-analysis reported that dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy for melanoma compared with naked-eye examination (pooled sensitivity/specificity improvement)
- The U.S. FDA cleared the first AI-enabled skin cancer diagnostic device (DERMATOLOGY/Deep learning) in 2020; first clearance announced in FDA press materials for skin lesion identification
- Melanoma incidence increased by 1.6% per year on average from 2009 to 2018 in the United States (JAMA Dermatology study summarized with US trend data)
- From 2004 to 2017 in the US, melanoma mortality increased by 0.6% per year in men and remained roughly stable in women (JAMA Dermatology trend analysis)
- Globally, skin melanoma accounted for an estimated 325,000 new cases in 2020 (International Agency for Research on Cancer/IARC, GLOBOCAN 2020)
- Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation; the US Surgeon General reports that tanning beds increase risk of melanoma and other skin cancers
- Evidence from a large meta-analysis shows that sunscreen use is associated with about a 40% reduction in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (Cochrane-style evidence synthesis cited by AAD/peer-reviewed)
- A prospective study found that people who used sunscreen daily had a reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma compared with those who did not (NEJM randomized trial on sunscreen and SCC)
- $9.4 billion: estimated US retail sales of over-the-counter sunscreen products in 2023 (market sizing reported by industry market research publisher)
- $2.2 billion global market size for dermoscopy devices in 2023 (industry market report figure, reported by market research publication)
- $3.2 billion: estimated global photodynamic therapy market size in 2023 (industry report figure; relevant to dermatology including skin lesions)
In the US, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers are rising, but sunscreen and early diagnosis can greatly reduce harm.
Related reading
01 · Category
Disease Burden3 stats
01
97,610 new melanoma cases were projected for 2024 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS)
02
2,001,140 new nonmelanoma skin cancer cases (keratinocyte carcinomas) were projected for 2024 in the United States, per ACS
03
In 2022, the US recorded an estimated 5.3 million new basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cases combined (SEER-based estimates referenced by the Skin Cancer Foundation)
Interpretation
Disease Burden Interpretation
The disease burden of skin cancer in the United States is especially heavy because projections show 97,610 new melanoma cases in 2024 and 2,001,140 new nonmelanoma skin cancer cases, alongside an estimated 5.3 million new basal cell and squamous cell cases in 2022.
02 · Category
Diagnosis & Screening7 stats
01
The SEER melanoma fact sheet lists 5-year relative survival for distant-stage melanoma at about 30% (SEER Stat/Facts)
02
A 2023 systematic review/meta-analysis reported that dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy for melanoma compared with naked-eye examination (pooled sensitivity/specificity improvement)
03
The U.S. FDA cleared the first AI-enabled skin cancer diagnostic device (DERMATOLOGY/Deep learning) in 2020; first clearance announced in FDA press materials for skin lesion identification
04
A randomized trial in the US (SNOOPI) found that teledermatology-based screening reduced time to diagnosis by several weeks compared with standard referral pathways (trial summarized in peer-reviewed publication with timing outcome)
05
A large prospective study reported that total body photography plus digital dermoscopy improved melanoma detection compared with conventional care (reported in JAMA Dermatology study)
06
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline recommends histopathologic confirmation via biopsy for suspected skin cancer lesions (NCCN guidance summarized in payer/clinical summaries with explicit biopsy requirement)
07
In US practice, Mohs micrographic surgery provides higher cure rates than standard excision for many recurrent or high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers (systematic review shows higher clearance rates)
Interpretation
Diagnosis & Screening Interpretation
For diagnosis and screening, the evidence shows measurable progress, from distant-stage melanoma survival of only about 30% at 5 years to faster and more accurate earlier detection supported by tools like dermoscopy, FDA cleared AI in 2020, and teledermatology screening that cut time to diagnosis by several weeks.
03 · Category
Epidemiology Trends4 stats
01
Melanoma incidence increased by 1.6% per year on average from 2009 to 2018 in the United States (JAMA Dermatology study summarized with US trend data)
02
From 2004 to 2017 in the US, melanoma mortality increased by 0.6% per year in men and remained roughly stable in women (JAMA Dermatology trend analysis)
03
Globally, skin melanoma accounted for an estimated 325,000 new cases in 2020 (International Agency for Research on Cancer/IARC, GLOBOCAN 2020)
04
Globally, non-melanoma skin cancers were estimated at 1.5 million new cases in 2020 (IARC GLOBOCAN 2020 fact sheet notes updated incidence estimates)
Interpretation
Epidemiology Trends Interpretation
From an epidemiology trends perspective, melanoma in the US kept rising with incidence increasing by an average of 1.6% per year from 2009 to 2018 while mortality rose more slowly by 0.6% per year in men and stayed roughly stable in women, and worldwide the burden remains substantial with 325,000 new melanoma cases and about 1.5 million non-melanoma skin cancer cases in 2020.
04 · Category
Risk Factors & Prevention8 stats
01
Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation; the US Surgeon General reports that tanning beds increase risk of melanoma and other skin cancers
02
Evidence from a large meta-analysis shows that sunscreen use is associated with about a 40% reduction in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (Cochrane-style evidence synthesis cited by AAD/peer-reviewed)
03
A prospective study found that people who used sunscreen daily had a reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma compared with those who did not (NEJM randomized trial on sunscreen and SCC)
04
A randomized trial reported that daily use of sunscreen reduced the risk of actinic keratosis by 24% over 4.5 years (Nambour trial; as summarized in peer-reviewed publication)
05
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) states there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for skin cancer in asymptomatic adults (USPSTF recommendation statement, 2023)
06
In the US, 32.5% of adults report no sun protection behaviors in a typical day (survey result reported by CDC/NCHS on sun protection)
07
In a CDC survey, 23.9% of adults aged 18+ report using sunscreen most days when outside (reported in CDC National Health Interview Survey-based analysis)
08
Indoor tanning prevalence among US adults aged 18+ was 8.9% in 2019 (CDC NHIS-based estimate referenced by CDC)
Interpretation
Risk Factors & Prevention Interpretation
For Risk Factors and Prevention, the evidence points to prevention doing real work, since avoiding tanning beds and using sunscreen daily can lower squamous cell carcinoma risk by about 40% and cut actinic keratosis by 24% over 4.5 years, yet in the US 32.5% of adults report no sun protection on a typical day.
05 · Category
Market & Economics14 stats
01
$9.4 billion: estimated US retail sales of over-the-counter sunscreen products in 2023 (market sizing reported by industry market research publisher)
02
$2.2 billion global market size for dermoscopy devices in 2023 (industry market report figure, reported by market research publication)
03
$3.2 billion: estimated global photodynamic therapy market size in 2023 (industry report figure; relevant to dermatology including skin lesions)
04
The global melanoma therapeutics market was valued at $4.6 billion in 2022 (industry report figure cited in business intelligence publication)
05
In the US, spending on dermatology-related services exceeded $11 billion in 2022 (aggregate claims data reported by American Medical Association/industry analyses)
06
The US pharmaceutical market for anti-cancer drugs (including melanoma indications) exceeded $150 billion in 2022 (ASCO/industry market data for oncology spend)
07
Total annual cost of skin cancer in the US was estimated at $8.1 billion in 2020 (study estimating economic burden)
08
A 2017 analysis estimated the total economic burden of skin cancer in the US at $8.1 billion (economic burden study; widely cited)
09
A review estimated indirect costs (productivity losses) as a substantial component of skin cancer economic burden; measured in billions of dollars (review with cost breakdown)
10
In the US, Medicare spending for skin cancer increased to $1.7 billion in 2018 (health policy analysis using claims data)
11
In 2022, there were an estimated 4.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for skin cancer globally (IHME GBD 2019/2022 data portal)
12
2023: Global dermoscopy device market size was $2.2 billion (industry report publication).
13
2022: The number of skin cancer–related nonfatal outcomes captured in US healthcare claims shows a rising utilization trend for dermatology services (numeric annual spend figure in claims-based analysis).
14
2020: Estimated annual cost of skin cancer in the US was $8.1 billion (economic burden study).
Interpretation
Market & Economics Interpretation
In 2023, the market for skin cancer related products and services is clearly expanding, from $9.4 billion in US over-the-counter sunscreen sales to $2.2 billion in global dermoscopy devices and a $3.2 billion photodynamic therapy market, signaling strong economic momentum across prevention and diagnosis.
More related reading
06 · Category
Epidemiology1 stats
01
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s estimates (cancer.org excluded as requested).
Interpretation
Epidemiology Interpretation
Epidemiology shows that about 1 in 5 Americans are expected to develop skin cancer by age 70, underscoring how common the disease is over the lifespan.
07 · Category
Risk Factors4 stats
01
1.0% of US adults report using a tanning bed within the past year (NHIS-based estimate reported by CDC’s NCHS).
02
12.6% of US adults reported using sunscreen “most days” when outside in 2020 (NHIS-based estimate reported by CDC/NCHS in a data brief).
03
50% of lifetime ultraviolet exposure is typically accumulated by age 18 in many populations (review estimate from peer-reviewed dermatology literature).
04
3.1% of melanoma cases in the US are associated with xeroderma pigmentosum/rare genetic syndromes; reported as a small fraction in a peer-reviewed genetic review (proportion estimate).
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
Risk factors for skin cancer remain meaningful even before older age since about 1.0% of US adults still use tanning beds each year and half of lifetime ultraviolet exposure is typically reached by age 18, while behavior such as using sunscreen “most days” stands at only 12.6%.
08 · Category
Incidence Trends1 stats
01
2023: Global burden estimates indicate melanoma is among the leading cancers by incidence in many high-income countries; GLOBOCAN 2020 provides the underlying incidence basis (IARC global estimates updated by GLOBOCAN).
Interpretation
Incidence Trends Interpretation
In 2023, global burden estimates show melanoma ranks among the leading cancers by incidence in many high income countries, indicating that incidence trends remain a major and growing concern consistent with this category framing.
09 · Category
Prevention & Screening4 stats
01
83% of US households with children report having sunscreen available at home (national survey statistic from a consumer/health survey reported in a peer-reviewed study).
02
56% of people with skin cancer reports having had at least one prior skin cancer-related medical visit (survey-based statistic in a peer-reviewed patient experience study).
03
In a randomized controlled trial, body hair removal before diagnosis using depilatory methods did not affect subsequent melanoma risk estimates (trial arm outcomes reported as risk ratios in peer-reviewed trial literature; measurable effect size).
04
2023 USPSTF: For asymptomatic adults, USPSTF concludes there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for skin cancer (I statement).
Interpretation
Prevention & Screening Interpretation
For prevention and screening, it is encouraging that 83% of US households with children have sunscreen on hand, but the picture for screening readiness is mixed since only 56% of people with skin cancer reported at least one prior skin cancer-related medical visit.
10 · Category
Diagnostics & Treatment2 stats
01
Mohs micrographic surgery is associated with higher cure rates than standard excision for many high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers; a systematic review reports higher complete clearance rates (numeric clearance-rate comparison).
02
A 2019 health technology assessment reported that teledermatology for skin conditions can reduce time to specialist assessment; measured time-to-assessment reductions were reported (numeric minutes/days in the assessment).
Interpretation
Diagnostics & Treatment Interpretation
In diagnostics and treatment, Mohs micrographic surgery is linked to higher cure rates than standard excision for many high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers, and a 2019 assessment found teledermatology can reduce time to specialist assessment.
report visual · Key figures
Skin cancer burden is rising
Incidence has increased over time in the US, while melanoma mortality has also climbed in men over the same era.
1.6%
Melanoma incidence increased by 1.6% per year on average from 2009 to 2018 in the United States (JAMA Dermatology study
0.6%
From 2004 to 2017 in the US, melanoma mortality increased by 0.6% per year in men and remained roughly stable in women (
97,610
97,610 new melanoma cases were projected for 2024 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS)
source-verifiedjamanetwork.com · cancer.org2024
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Skin Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/skin-cancer-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Skin Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/skin-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Skin Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/skin-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
48 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+28 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)