This news could be tough to face.
A new report from the Skin Cancer Foundation predicts that 234,680 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2026, a staggering 10.6% increase from 2025.
Of these projected cases, 122,680 will be noninvasive, or confined to the top layer of skin, while 112,000 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin’s second layer.
In noninvasive cases where melanoma hasn’t spread beyond the skin, 99 out of 100 patients will survive for five years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
That number drops significantly, to just 35 out of 100 patients, when the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, like the lungs or liver.
Unfortunately, these latest figures are in tune with a troubling trend. In the past decade, the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually increased by 46.6%.
ACS estimates 8,510 people will die from the disease in 2026; of that number, 5,500 will be men and 3,010 will be women.
Kelly Clarkson‘s ex-husband, the talent manager Brandon Blackstock, died last year after a three-year battle with melanoma.
Meanwhile, “Real Housewives” alum Teddi Mellencamp was diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma in October 2022 — it has since metastasized into Stage 4 cancer.
“Melanoma is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it has a high potential to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early,” Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, an NYC dermatologist, previously told The Post.
This is because melanoma cells act differently than other skin cancer cells, quickly spreading to other organs and tissues via the bloodstream and lymphatic system, Mudgil explained.
The risk of melanoma spreading depends on several factors, including the tumor’s size and stage, the patient’s age and other medical conditions, such as a suppressed immune system.
A melanoma — also known as a “black tumor” — can appear as a new mole, a changing mole or a spot with an irregular shape, border or color, often with shades of brown, black, or even pink, red or white.
“Things to look for are the ‘ABCDE’s’ of melanoma — asymmetry, border irregularity, color variability, diameter greater than 6 mm (which is the size of a pencil eraser), and last, evolution of an existing mole to exhibit any of the aforementioned qualities,” Mudgil said.
And having lighter skin significantly raises your chances of developing the disease. In fact, the lifetime risk of getting melanoma is 1 in 33 for white people, compared to just 1 in 1,000 for black people, according to the ACS.
This is because lighter skin contains less melanin, the pigment that protects against UV damage. Among those with lighter skin, the risk is especially higher for people with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes or skin that freckles or burns easily.
The risk of melanoma also increases with age. The average age of Americans diagnosed is 66, but it’s one of the most common cancers in people under 30 — especially young women.
Other risk factors include being male, having several moles, a personal or family history of the disease and a history of blistering sunburns, particularly in childhood. People who spend a lot of time outdoors may also face a higher risk due to increased sun exposure.
Experts note that while skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, it is also one of the most preventable.
“In most instances, the disease is highly preventable with a sun protection strategy that includes seeking shade, daily sunscreen use and covering up with clothing, hats and sunglasses,” the Skin Cancer Foundation said in a statement.
