Non‐melanoma skin cancer in Australia: the 2002 national survey and trends since 1985

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the incidence of treated non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Australia in 2002 and investigate trends since 1985 by histological type, sex, age group, latitude and skin type. Design: Face‐to‐face survey between 1 January and 31 December 2002 using stratified sampling of households to identify people treated for skin cancer in the previous 12 months. Self‐reported diagnoses were confirmed with treatment providers. Data from similar surveys conducted in 1985, 1990 and 1995 were used to assess trends. Setting: Whole of Australia (population 19.6 million). Participants: Of 57 215 people interviewed, 4098 said they had been treated for skin cancer in the past year and 3198 gave permission for their diagnoses to be confirmed with their doctor. Results: 817 people were confirmed as having at least one skin cancer treated in the past year. The age‐standardised rate per 100 000 population for NMSC was 1170, for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) 884, and for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 387. The estimated number of NMSC cases in Australia for 2002 was 374 000. Cumulative risks to age 70 years of having at least one NMSC were 70% for men and 58% for women. Rates of BCC and SCC have increased since 1985, and the increases greatest for people aged 60 years and older; rates for those younger than 60 years have stabilised. Conclusions: The incidence of treated NMSC in Australia in 2002 was more than five times the incidence of all other cancers combined. Although the overall NMSC rates have risen since 1985, the stabilisation of rates for people younger than 60 years who were exposed to skin cancer prevention programs in their youth highlights the importance of maintaining and strengthening these programs.

Secondhand smoke exposure (PM2.5) in outdoor dining areas and its correlates: Figure 1

“…This is of particular concern in Australia, where levels of ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure are typically higher than those observed in North America and Europe 33. At least two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer before 70 years of age,34 and melanoma is the most common cancer in those aged 12–24 years 35. Therefore, the need to protect patrons and hospitality workers from unnecessary sun exposure is an imperative public health concern, and it is neither practical nor responsible to promote removal of overhead covers at outdoor dining venues.…”

Declining incidence of eyelid cancers in Singapore over 13 years: population-based data from 1996 to 2008

“…A national survey of non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia done in 2002 also reported overall increases in the age-standardised rates of both cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) between 1985 and 2002 6. The incidence of skin cancers in the white population increases proportionally with proximity to the equator and inversely with latitude 7.…”

High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

“…Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are a major public health concern in Australia [1] and around the world and although most patients are cured, a minority will die of cutaneous SCC (cSCC), usually in the setting of metastases to regional lymph nodes of the head and neck (HN) [2]. Most lesions (80–90%) develop on the sun-exposed HN in older Caucasian males with the overall incidence of patients with a cSCC developing metastases to regional lymph nodes reported as low (<5%) [3].…”