Michigan's rate of melanoma cases below national average

Michigan's rate of new melanoma cases is below the national average, despite an increase in diagnoses by doctors.

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

What they're saying: "People who get periodically sunburnt frequently tend to have a higher risk of developing melanoma," says Henry Lim, a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• And sun exposure has a clear a connection to basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.

By the numbers: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.​

• 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 skin cancer will be diagnosed in 2024.

Zoom in: Michigan averaged 20.1 melanoma cases per 100,000 people between 2016 and 2020, per the National Cancer Institute .

The intrigue: A recent study found that rural Michiganders are more likely to get skin cancer than urban residents due to a lack of dermatologists and the greater likelihood of outdoor work in rural areas.

Yes, but: "More sun exposure" isn't the only possible reason for the uptick in melanoma diagnoses.

• Other factors: More effective skin cancer detection and the fact that many Americans are living longer, according to Sivendran.

Using sunscreen is helpful for preventing skin cancer, wrinkles and skin discoloration.

• More tips to avoid sun damage: Stay in the shade, wear hats and other protective clothing, and use and reapply sunscreen .