Study outlines average frequency, timing of skin cancer diagnoses
Facts at your Fingertips
By Megan Bennett, Staff Writer, April 1, 2026
More than 40% of skin cancer patients will develop skin cancer at least once more in their lifetime, according to a 2025 JAAD study that analyzed millions of patients over more than 20 years (doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.12.047).
The study followed more than 5.5 million patients — five cohorts each representing a large electronic health record database — with a combined 13.1 million cases of skin cancer. Approximately 43% of the total group was treated for more than one skin cancer, which on average appeared within two years of the first. Three percent developed 10 or more cases of skin cancer.
Study authors note that more research is needed to determine why certain patients are at higher risk of developing several skin cancers and how to prevent it. They also note patients treated for 10 or more skin cancers need to be further studied to see if/how earlier intervention would lead to better health outcomes, including lower risk of death.
See the graphic below for more details.
