Melanoma is the most serious and fastest-growing type of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US. More than a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Melanoma is caused by UV radiation from the sun, tanning booths, and sun lamps. You get the idea. Adults get it most often, but children, teenagers and older adults are at risk too.
Men are diagnosed most often on their trunk, head and neck. Women get melanoma most often on their arms and legs.
Those at Greater Risk for melanoma include having fair skin, light-colored eyes, freckling &/or the skin burns easily.
You also increase the odds if you have had one or more severe blistering sunburns in your life. Bear in mind: you can receive lots of UV exposure due to lifestyle, by living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation, in addition to a body of water.