Skin Cancer Statistics: What the Numbers Mean

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States. Understanding the data — incidence rates, survival statistics, and treatment outcomes — helps patients make informed decisions about screening and care. The figures below are drawn from peer-reviewed epidemiological research and the American Cancer Society.

How Common Is Skin Cancer?

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70
• More than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the United States
• Skin cancer accounts for more diagnoses annually than all other cancers combined
• An estimated 3.3 million Americans are treated for BCC or SCC each year
• The American Cancer Society estimates 112,000 new invasive melanomas in the U.S. in 2026.

Skin Cancer Types: Breakdown

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): the most common skin cancer, with an estimated 3.6 million cases per year in the U.S. (Skin Cancer Foundation). Rarely metastasizes but causes significant local tissue destruction if untreated.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): ~20% of skin cancers. Approximately 15,000 deaths per year in the U.S. attributable to SCC.
• Melanoma: ~1% of skin cancers but responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Five-year survival is 99% when melanoma is localized and 35% once it has spread to distant sites (2015 to 2021 diagnoses).

Mohs Surgery Outcomes

• Mohs micrographic surgery achieves 5-year cure rates of up to 99% for primary BCC and ~97% for SCC — the highest of any skin cancer treatment
• For recurrent tumors, Mohs cure rates remain ~94–95% — higher than standard excision
• Mohs removes less normal tissue than standard excision — critical for the face, ears, eyelids, and nose
• Belaray Dermatology has three dual board-certified Mohs surgeons across its two Long Island offices

Sun Exposure and Prevention

• Regular use of SPF 15+ sunscreen reduces SCC risk by 40% and melanoma risk by 50%
• People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 have an estimated 75% higher melanoma risk, and indoor tanning raises SCC risk by about 67%
• A single blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles lifetime melanoma risk
• Annual skin exams remain the most effective intervention for early detection

Learn what to look for between visits in our guide on how to check your skin for cancer, and read what to expect from Mohs surgery if a lesion requires treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer and the most common of all human cancers, with an estimated 3.6 million cases a year in the United States; estimates vary by year and method because these cancers are not fully captured by cancer registries.

What is the survival rate for melanoma?

For people diagnosed from 2015 to 2021, five-year relative survival was 99% for localized melanoma, 76% for melanoma that had spread to nearby lymph nodes, and 35% for melanoma that had spread to distant sites. These SEER groups differ from AJCC stages and do not predict an individual outcome, and modern immunotherapy has improved outcomes for many patients with advanced disease.

How effective is Mohs surgery for skin cancer?

Mohs micrographic surgery achieves cure rates of up to 99% for primary basal cell carcinoma and approximately 97% for squamous cell carcinoma — the highest cure rates of any skin cancer treatment modality.

How many people die from skin cancer each year in the U.S.?

The American Cancer Society estimates 8,510 melanoma deaths in the U.S. in 2026. Squamous cell carcinoma causes an estimated 15,000 deaths per year. Basal cell carcinoma very rarely causes death but can cause significant disfigurement without treatment.