How common or uncommon is skin cancer?

im seventeen, and i dont go out in the sun much, but im still a little worried.

There are non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer with a million basal cell and about 250K squamous cell skin cancers diagnosed each year. There are about 60K cases of melanoma diagnosed each year in the US. Melanoma is much more potentially dangerous since it can spread quickly and is much harder to treat. You can read statistics and info about the various types of skin cancer here.

http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/index...

At seventeen you do not have much to worry about from non-melanoma skin cancer at this time. However your current sun exposure habits will determine your chances for developing skin cancer later in your life so if you tan heavily now you will pay for it later. Young women are at increased risk of developing melanoma and while this is not a common cancer it does happen all too frequently. Learn the signs of melanoma and get any strange or changing mole or skin growth examined by a dermatologist.

i was diagnosed and treated for basal cell carcinoma three years ago (at age 29). i just had my last visit with my doctor the other day she told me to make sure i put sunscreen or lotion with sunscreen on my face, ears, and neck everyday (i had the cancer on my face) even if i don't go to the beach or something like that and that means using sunscreen in the winter to. she said the average person will get at least 2 hours of sun everyday. for example: driving your car, getting the mail, the basic everyday stuff. she also said that fair skinned people need the suncreen even more. the best advice i would have is put sunscreen on and see your doctor or a dermatologist with any concerns you may have.