Skin Cancer Rates Doubled in the Last 30 Years

The rate of diagnoses for the deadliest form of skin cancer has more than doubled since the early 1980s, greatly raising the cost of medical care.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Tuesday, the melanoma rate has increased from 11.2 cases per 100,000 people in 1982 to 22.7 cases per 100,000 in 2011.

The annual cost of treating melanoma is likely to nearly triple from $457 million in 2011 to $1.6 billion in 2030.

“Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and it’s on the rise,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. “Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and clothes that cover your skin.”