Trends in Skin Cancers: Findings From Global Burden of Disease Study
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Hongguang Lu, MD, PhD, of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China, and colleagues conducted a study to evaluate the temporal trends and global spatial patterns of the burden of skin cancers. These investigators concluded that skin cancer remains a significant global health concern and so suggested current strategies should be re-evaluated to include preventive measures such as screening programs, public education, and self-examination. Their results were published in Cancer Medicine.
The age-standardized rates and numbers of disability-adjusted life years and mortality, along with skin cancer incidence, were collected and analyzed using the Global Health Data Exchange query tool. Data were estimated by sex, age, subtype, region, country, and sociodemographic index. Using estimated annual percentage change, the investigators also analyzed the temporal trends in age-standardized rates.
Based on their findings, there were 4.0 million, 2.4 million, and 0.3 million cases of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant skin melanoma globally in 2019. Malignant skin melanoma contributed to 1.7 million disability-adjusted life years and 62,800 deaths, whereas squamous cell carcinoma was responsible for 1.2 million disability-adjusted life years and 56,100 deaths. When the investigators accounted for age, the rates of global skin cancer burden seemed to increase in those 55 years of age and older.
Although there was an observed geographic variation of age-standardized rates and numbers of skin cancer across countries, an increase in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia was reported. The largest number of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma incidents occurred in high-income regions of North America, whereas the highest rates of malignant skin melanoma were found in the region of Australasia. The global age-standardized incidence rate of malignant skin melanoma seemed to increase, despite a slight observed decrease in mortality. Notably, there was an increase in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma burden.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
