Skin Cancer Treatment Costs in U.S. Outpaced Other Cancers, CDC Reports

Why it matters locally: Florida's high prevalence of skin cancer due to year-round sun exposure may mean residents face disproportionate healthcare costs under these national trends.

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Atlanta — The financial burden of skin cancer treatment in the United States grew at five times the rate of other cancer treatments between 2002 and 2011, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings appeared in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The CDC analyzed data to determine the comparative growth in expenses associated with skin cancer care versus the costs associated with care for other forms of cancer, pinpointing a significant disparity during the specified period. Researchers did not speculate about specific reasons for the increased costs in skin cancer, but the figures highlight the growing financial impact of the disease within the U.S. healthcare system.