How many people get melanoma skin cancer?

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for melanoma skin cancer in the United States for 2013 are:

• About 76,690 new cases of melanoma
• About 9,480 deaths from melanoma

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases. But it causes most skin cancer deaths. The number of new cases of melanoma in the United States has been increasing for at least 30 years.

Overall, the lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 1 in 50 for whites, 1 in 1,000 for blacks, and 1 in 200 for Hispanics. Unlike many other common cancers, melanoma occurs in both younger and older people. Rates keep on going up with age and are highest among those in their 80s.