EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NONMELANOMA SKIN-CANCER

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer in th e US white population. Ln 1996 more than 800,000 new cases are expecte d to be diagnosed in the United States, constituting more than one thi rd of all new cancer cases expected. The two principal histologic type s of NMSC are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These two types account for approximately 75% and 25% of all NMSC cases, res pectively. This article reviews the complex interactions between host factors such as race and age, and environmental factors such as lifeti me sun and radiation exposure that determine individual risk of NMSC.