Rate of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer Increases in Older Australians

The incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer has continued to increase in older Australians, however those under 45 have shown the first recorded drop.
The statistics, published in a study led by Professor David Whiteman of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, were extracted from Medicare data from Millions of Australians between 2000 and 2010. The study also showed, over the same period, the number of  younger Australians having skin checks or biopsies increased.
“We've shown that younger people are more aware of skin cancer, are having more checks for skin cancer, and are recording fewer cases of skin cancer,” Professor Whiteman said.
“Finally, the sunsafe message is having results. The generation exposed to the message of Slip, Slop, Slap since childhood is the first to see the real benefits of the campaign.  “We always knew it would take that long, because skin cancers form about 30 years after sun exposure. But it’s both exciting and a relief to finally see these figures.”
The figures showed an annual drop of 4% per year in Australians aged 5 to 24; 2% in those aged 25 to 34 and 1.5% in Australians under 45.
“Apart from the obvious benefits for their own health, such a trend could have an enormous impact on the health system. Conservative estimates suggest skin cancer costs the Australian health system more than $500 million a year in direct costs alone,” Professor Whiteman said.
However, skin cancer rates were still on the rise among older Australians.
“This is still worrying. Obviously a lot of this sun damage was done decades ago, but it is never too late to take steps to prevent further sun damage,”
This research is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Professor Whiteman also runs QSkin, a research project following 43,000 Queenslanders for 10 years to develop a full picture of skin cancer trends and costs. For more information, visit qskin.qimrberghofer.edu.au