Friday, June 5, 2015

Melanoma rates double over past 30 years

CANCER DIGEST – June 5, 2015 – Melanoma rates doubled between 1982 and 2011 but comprehensive skin cancer prevention programs could prevent 20 percent of new cases between 2020 and 2030, according to a Centers for Disease Control report.
Researchers reviewed data from the CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER) to help determine the increase in melanoma rates.

Melanoma rates increased from 11.2 per 100,000 in 1982 to 22.7 per 100,000 in 2011. That results in more than 9,000 skin cancer death each year. The report notes that without additional community prevention efforts, melanoma will continue to increase over the next 15 years, with 112,000 new cases projected in 2030. The annual cost of treating new melanoma cases is projected to nearly triple from $457 million in 2011 to $1.6 billion in 2030. 

“The rate of people getting melanoma continues to increase every year compared to the rates of most other cancers, which are declining,” said Lisa Richardson, MD, MPH, Director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “If we take action now, we can prevent hundreds of thousands of new cases of skin cancers, including melanoma, and save billions of dollars in medical costs.”

More than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers are due to skin cell damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, which can be controlled or prevented. Communities can increase shade on playgrounds, parks, public pools, and other public spaces, promote sun protection in recreational areas, encourage employers, childcare centers, schools, and colleges to educate about sun safety and skin protection. Everyone is encouraged to protect their skin with protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen, and seek shade outdoors.

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