27 May 2025 : According to a study, skin cancer cases have been increasing in the last three decades. The number of such cancers has increased rapidly, especially among the elderly. Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China said that apart from increasing age, population growth is also a major reason for this. The study also said that the burden of skin cancer is very high in countries with high socio-demographic index (SDI) levels.
Focus on prevention is essential
In a research paper published in JAMA Dermatology, the team said, “The elderly population (especially men and people living in high SDI countries) is facing increasing cases of skin cancer. This suggests that we need to plan by focusing on people at high risk. Also, it is important to focus on cancer treatment and its effective prevention.”
Nearly 4.4 million new cases of skin cancer in people over 65
In the study, researchers analyzed nearly 4.4 million new cases of skin cancer — melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma — recorded in people over 65 in 2021. The data is based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021, which covers 204 countries and territories.
Cases increase by 2 percent each year
Research found that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma, which begins as a growth of cells on the skin, increased by about 2 percent per year from 1990 to 2021. Increases were also seen in basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. These are two different types of skin cancer. In 2021, New Zealand and Australia recorded the highest rates of melanoma among people aged 65 and over. East Asia saw the fastest increase in the burden of basal cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2021. “This research highlights the urgent need to target prevention strategies and appropriately use resources to address the growing public health challenge of skin cancer in the elderly population,” the researchers said.
Summary:
A study reveals a sharp rise in skin cancer among men over the past three decades, highlighting the need for early detection and sun safety.