As an avid sunscreen user, my recent move from New York City to South Florida didn't mean a major change in sun-protection habits. If I'm spending any time outside, I'm doing so with sunscreen on my skin and more of it in my bag to reapply later — just like I did up north. It may be a much more crucial self-care practice down here, however, considering that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) just released statistics stating that Florida has a higher rate of skin cancer among its residents than any other state. Kinda puts a damper on living in a place called the Sunshine State.
According to BCBSA's recent Health of America Report, which reviewed how many Blue Cross and Blue Shield members have been diagnosed with skin cancer, 7.1 percent of Floridians had a form of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
In fact, four out of five of the American cities with the highest skin-cancer rates are in Florida. The states rounding out the top locations for skin-cancer prevalence are also on the east coast: Washington, D.C. (included by BCBSA as a state for this report) at 5.8 percent, Connecticut at 5.6 percent, and Maryland, Rhode Island, and Vermont all tied at 5.3 percent. (It's worth noting that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's research, released last October, is inconsistent with BCBSA's report; based on 2014 data, its report contends that it's Utah that has the most skin cancer patients.)
It may not be surprising that a tropical/subtropical state has the most skin cancer diagnoses, but it is surprising that another tropical state, Hawaii — where there's currently a movement to ban certain sunscreen chemicals — actually has the fewest skin cancer diagnoses at 1.8 percent of the population. The other states with the lowest rates of what the American Academy of Dermatology says is the most common kind of cancer are Oklahoma at 2.6 percent, Mississippi at 2.7 percent, North Dakota at 2.8 percent, and Wisconsin at 2.9 percent.
The wide variety of geographical locations and climates at both the top and bottom of the list implies that both natural sun exposure and other sources of UV damage can lead to skin cancer — and that proper protection can help prevent it. "Americans should enjoy the sun, but also use the proper precautions to avoid too much exposure to ultraviolet light," Trent Haywood, senior vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSA, said in a statement. "Tanning beds should be avoided altogether in light of research documenting the strong correlation to skin cancer."
Regardless of where you live, skin cancer is a possibility, even with the most stringent sun-protection habits. Your best line of defense, in addition to wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, is doing regular skin checks and visiting a dermatologist if you or your partner notice anything new or unusual moles or marks on your body.
More skin cancer news:
- This Common Painkiller May Up Your Risk for Skin Cancer
- The Surprising Group of People Likely to Get Checked for Skin Cancer
- Woman Says Her Dog Discovered Her Skin Cancer
Check out 100 years of sun care:
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