Key Statistics for Basal Cell Carcinomas

Learn about key statistics for basal cell carcinomas, including how common they are, who is most affected, and the outlook for those with a diagnosis.

How common is basal cell carcinoma?

Skin cancers are by far the most common of all types of cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). About 8 out of 10 skin cancers are BCCs.

According to one estimate, about 5.4 million BCCs and SCCs are diagnosed each year in the US, occurring in about 3.3 million people, as some people have more than one.

However, the exact number of people in the US who develop or die from BCCs each year isn’t known because BCCs are not reported to and tracked by cancer registries.

The number of these cancers has been increasing for many years. This is probably from a combination of better skin cancer detection, people getting more sun exposure, and people living longer.

Who gets basal cell carcinoma?

Anyone can get BCC, but the risk goes up as people get older. These cancers are also more common among men and among people with lighter skin tones. To learn more, see Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention of Basal Cell Carcinoma .

What is the outlook for those with basal cell carcinomas?

Although basal cell carcinomas are common, deaths from these cancers are very rare. These cancers tend to grow slowly, and they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

BCCs can still cause serious problems if they’re not treated, as they can grow into nearby bones or other tissues beneath the skin.

Most people who die from these cancers are older and might not have seen a doctor until the cancer had already grown quite large or had spread. Those with suppressed immune systems, such as people who have had organ transplants, are also more likely to die from BCC.