Skin cancer diagnoses approaching "epidemic" levels, say researchers
Skin cancer diagnoses are on the rise and the disease affects more people than all other cancers combined, according to two new studies that aim to sound the alarm on what experts are calling an epidemic.
Researchers estimate that in 2006 there were more than 3.5 million non-melanoma skin cancers in the U.S., with about 2.1 million patients treated for the disease, according to the articles, appearing in the latest Archives of Dermatology.
Most skin cancers are of the non-melanoma variety, meaning they start in the basal or squamous cells on the outer layer of the skin. The culprit: too much sun. (Here are some skin cancer basics from the American Cancer Society)
This form of cancer is far less deadly than the melanoma variety, not to mention other cancers. But the disease is serious and treating it comes at a high cost. In 2004, nearly $1.5 billion was spent on treating non-melanoma skin cancer.
Researchers said that many non-melanomas aren't reported to cancer registries, so they came up with their own estimates which they say are more accurate. In one article, Dr. Robert S. Stern, of Harvard Medical School developed a mathematical model to estimate the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer in 2007. Another researcher, Dr. Howard W. Rogers, of Advanced Dermatology, Norwich, Conn. reviewed Medicare databases and national surveys.
Tanning beds could have something to do with the rise, say advocates. Howard County, Maryland, has already outlawed tanning beds for people under 18 and similar actions have been considered in states nationwide.
Do you tan? Be honest, now...
Baltimore Sun photo
Comments
“Real” skin cancer and “treatment” for skin cancer (what this study is based upon) are two entirely different things. There is no doubt that there has been an “epidemic of diagnosis” of all types of “cancer” to include prostate, breast and skin — by our “for profit” medical system. This report and its publication feeds into the medical-industrial complex fear based “cancer scare” tactics. Just about everyone I know who has visited a dermatologist in the past 20 years has come away with a band-aid on their face and “pre-cancer” removed and annual visits for the rest of their lives to have more removed. Don’t forget your equally useless twice a year teeth cleanings. And don’t forget your “free” brake inspections at Midas. "Free" skin cancer screenings are as prevalent as now debunked free prostate cancer screenings -- they are nothing but a search for new "customers" to feed the great american medical-industrial profit machine.
Epidemic of skin cancer ... or epidemic of diagnosis? When the "profit-motive" provides the incentive to over-diagnose we all pay for it through our ever-rising insurance premiums.
Posted by: Ed Dwulet | March 16, 2010 1:36 PM
The statement is correct that skin cancer diagnoses are on the rise. Not necessarily skin cancer. Years ago, almost anyone with age on them, had skin lesions. They were accepted as part of the natural aging process and always will be - SPFs, diagnoses, treatments or whatever.
Posted by: ruth | March 16, 2010 1:45 PM