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Increasing Incidence of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Under Age 40

This worrisome increase in nonmelanoma skin cancer is especially dramatic in younger women.

Much of the research on the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer has focused on older populations, and little is known about its incidence in the under-40 population. To examine changes in the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over time in a young population, researchers at Mayo Clinic reviewed all nonmelanoma skin cancers diagnosed from 1976 through 2003 in patients younger than 40 in one Minnesota county.

In this population, the overall age-adjusted incidence of BCC per 100,000 persons was 25.9 among women and 20.9 among men. During the study period, BCC incidence increased significantly in women (from 13.4/100,000 in 1976–1979 to 31.6/100,000 in 2000–2003) but not among men (from 22.9/100,000 to 26.7/100,000, respectively). The overall incidence of SCC was similar in men and women (3.9/100,000), and it increased significantly over the study period among both sexes (from 0.6/100,000 in 1976–1979 to 4.1/100,000 in 2000–2003).

Comment: The authors also provide extensive information about the presentation and natural history of nonmelanoma skin cancers in this age group. The results demonstrate a worrisome increase in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer among younger men and women over a 28-year period. BCC incidence rose dramatically among young women, and SCC incidence increased among both sexes. Other researchers have also noted an increasing incidence of melanoma in young people. These sobering findings emphasize the need to focus on preventing and treating skin cancer in the very young.

— Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC

Published in Journal Watch Dermatology September 27, 2005

Citation(s):

Christenson LJ et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA 2005 Aug 10; 294:681-90.

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