Changes in the Incidence of Skin Cancer Between 1978 and 2002

Aceituno-Madera, P.; Buendía-Eisman, A.; Arias-Santiago, S.; Serrano-Ortega, S.

doi:10.1016/S1578-2190(10)70578-3

Article information

Abstract

Background

Ultraviolet radiation is the main risk factor for skin cancer. Changes in lifestyle over recent decades have led to greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation; this phenomenon, coupled with aging of the population, increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Our objective was to analyze the trends in the incidence of skin cancer worldwide, in Europe, and in Spain during the period 1978 to 2002.

Material and methods

Both skin cancer incidence and trends were investigated during the period 1978 to 2002 using the publication Cancer Incidence in Five Continents.

Results

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma increased progressively throughout the period, with higher rates among women. The highest incidence was found in Australia. In Spain, the standardized rates of melanoma had tripled in both sexes by the end of the study period. The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) increased throughout the study period, with higher rates among men. The highest incidences were found in Australia, Brazil, and among the European inhabitants of Zimbabwe. Within Spain, the standardized rates of NMSC doubled or tripled in both sexes by the end of the study period.

Conclusion

The rise in the incidence of skin cancer leads us to conclude that measures of primary prevention are failing or insufficient, or that it is still too soon to evaluate their efficacy. There are certain limitations to this study, such as the fact that it was imposible to analyze the most recent period, from 2003 to 2007, and that cancer registries are not available for all populations.

Keywords:

Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Epidemiology

Cancer registry

Resumen

Introducción

La radiación ultravioleta es el principal factor de riesgo en el desarrollo del cáncer de piel. En las últimas décadas se ha producido un cambio en los estilos de vida que conlleva mayores exposiciones a la radiación ultravioleta, lo que unido a un mayor envejecimiento de la población aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de piel. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la tendencia temporal en la incidencia del cáncer de piel a nivel mundial, europeo y español durante el período comprendido entre 1978-2002.

Material y métodos

Se estudiaron la incidencia y la tendencia del cáncer de piel en el período 1978-2002 a través de la publicación Cancer Incidence in Five Continents.

Resultados

La incidencia del melanoma cutáneo aumentó de forma continua durante todo el período, con tasas más elevadas en mujeres. Las incidencias máximas se registraron en Australia. En España, las tasas estandarizadas de melanoma llegaron a triplicarse en ambos sexos al final del período de estudio. La incidencia del cáncer cutáneo no melanoma (CCNM) aumentó durante el período de estudio (1978-2002), con tasas más elevadas en varones. Las incidencias máximas se registraron en Australia, Brasil y en la población europea de Zimbabue. En España, las tasas estandarizadas de CCNM llegaron a duplicarse o triplicarse en ambos sexos al final del período.

Conclusiones

El aumento de la incidencia del cáncer de piel nos hace pensar que las medidas de prevención primaria están fallando, son insuficientes o que aún no ha llegado el momento de evaluar su eficacia. Como limitaciones a nuestro estudio, cabe señalar que no se ha podido analizar el período más actual 2003-2007 y el hecho de que no todas las poblaciones tienen un registro de cáncer.

Palabras clave:

Melanoma

Carcinoma basocelular

Carcinoma espinocelular

Epidemiología

Registro de cáncer

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