Skin Cancer

Cancer of the skin, which includes melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for about half of all cancers. More than 1 million cases of non-melanoma cell cancer occur every year. These non-melanoma skin cancers are highly curable if detected and treated early. Melanoma accounts for only 4 percent of all skin cancers but is a more aggressive form of cancer.

The following are resources from the National Cancer Institute for those cancers:

Resources and Support

Here are some helpful skin cancer and melanoma resources that provide information and support.

  • Melanoma Patients' Information Page (MPIP) provides support and information to melanoma patients and caregivers. Also, the MPIP provides various forums which allow patients to provide support and share experiences and resources with other patients.
  • Skin Cancer Foundation provides information about the importance of taking protective measures against the damaging rays of the sun and recognizing the early signs of skin cancer.

For additional cancer information, see the general cancer Support section of this Web site or call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.