Why is skin cancer the most common cancer in the United States?

Question: Why is skin cancer the most common cancer in the United States?
- Keywords:
  cancer
Asked by whew20fen to Sally, Mmboyi, Mike, Michael, Jacinta, Gliday, Elkana, Edna, Arnold on 17 Jul 2025.
- Michael Kimwele answered on 17 Jul 2025:
  
  Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States primarily due to prolonged and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mainly from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. This exposure damages the DNA within skin cells, increasing the risk of developing cancerous cells. While non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are very common, melanoma, though less frequent, is more dangerous due to its ability to spread.