Don't skip the sunscreen: Florida melanoma rates higher than national average

Doctors are diagnosing more Floridians with melanoma than the national average.

Why it matters: Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers , it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Zoom in: Florida's rate of new cases — approximately 24.5 per 100,000 people each year — is above the national average of 22.5.

The big picture: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S.​

• New cases of melanoma rose 2% to 3% annually between 2015 and 2019, Axios' Tina Reed reports.
• In particular, there's been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer over the age of 50, says Shanthi Sivendran, ACS senior vice president of cancer care support.
• ACS estimates that about 100,640 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2024.

What they're saying: Using sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer (along with wrinkles and skin discoloration), but experts say it shouldn't be the only thing you do.

• Wearing protective clothing — like a hat or UV-blocking shirt — and avoiding being outside in the middle of the day when the sun shines strongest will also make a difference, Cindy Firkins Smith, a Minnesota-based dermatologist, told Axios Twin Cities .

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