Skin cancer statistics in the United States

Melanoma and non-melanoma figures, each cited to a primary public source — with observed data, projections and registry limitations clearly labeled.

A note on registries. The CDC notes that basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are generally not routinely collected by central cancer registries because they are so common. Figures for these cancers are therefore estimates, not registry-confirmed national counts. Survival statistics describe groups and do not predict an individual prognosis.

Melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma — projections, incidence & survival

2026 projection
112,000
Estimated new U.S. melanoma cases

Projected by the American Cancer Society and presented by NCI SEER. A projection, not an observed count.

Source: NCI SEER
2026 projection
8,510
Estimated U.S. melanoma deaths

Projected estimate presented by NCI SEER.

Source: NCI SEER
2019–2023
22.3 per 100,000
Age-adjusted melanoma incidence

A population rate — not an individual measure of risk.

Source: NCI SEER
2016–2022
94.7%
Five-year relative survival (overall)

Group statistics do not predict an individual prognosis; stage-specific survival differs substantially (localized 100.0%, regional 76.0%, distant 34.0%).

Source: NCI SEER
2022
28.0 per 100,000
Florida age-adjusted melanoma incidence

Florida melanoma count, not a count of all skin cancers. Compare with the national rate only with attention to differing periods and sources.

2022
330,000
Estimated new melanoma cases worldwide

Global estimate; not directly comparable to U.S. or Florida age-adjusted rates.

Source: IARC / WHO
Non-melanoma skin cancer

Basal & squamous cell carcinoma — estimates

Because registries do not routinely track these cancers, the figures below are estimates. No separate national incidence total is inferred for basal or squamous cell carcinoma.

~5.4M
Estimated BCC/cSCC tumors per year (U.S.)

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell tumors are estimated each year in about 3.3 million people — roughly 8 in 10 are basal cell carcinoma. An estimate, not a registry-confirmed count.

~3.3M
Estimated people treated per year (U.S.)

Because these cancers are so common, central registries do not routinely track them, so exact national counts are not available.

$8.9B
Estimated annual treatment cost (U.S.)

CDC estimate for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas, based on Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data.

Source: CDC

Methodology & official data

National melanoma projections, incidence, mortality and survival are drawn from NCI SEER. Florida state figures come from the Florida Department of Health / Florida Cancer Data System. National non-melanoma estimates come from the American Cancer Society and the CDC. For county-level Florida data, consult the official dashboard rather than a simplified map with incomplete data.

Florida Department of Health dashboard

Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Melanoma of the Skin. seer.cancer.gov
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skin Cancer Statistics. cdc.gov
  3. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers. cancer.org
  4. Florida Department of Health. Melanoma Incidence — FLHealthCHARTS. flhealthcharts.gov
  5. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Skin cancer. iarc.who.int