Skin cancer diagnoses are on the rise and the disease affects more people than all other cancers combined, according to two new studies that aim to sound the alarm on what experts are calling an epidemic.
Researchers estimate that in 2006 there were more than 3.5 million non-melanoma skin cancers in the U.S., with about 2.1 million patients treated for the disease, according to the articles, appearing in the latest Archives of Dermatology.
Most skin cancers are of the non-melanoma variety, meaning they start in the basal or squamous cells on the outer layer of the skin. The culprit: too much sun. (Here are some skin cancer basics from the American Cancer Society)
This form of cancer is far less deadly than the melanoma variety, not to mention other cancers. But the disease is serious and treating it comes at a high cost. In 2004, nearly $1.5 billion was spent on treating non-melanoma skin cancer.
Researchers said that many non-melanomas aren't reported to cancer registries, so they came up with their own estimates which they say are more accurate. In one article, Dr. Robert S. Stern, of Harvard Medical School developed a mathematical model to estimate the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer in 2007. Another researcher, Dr. Howard W. Rogers, of Advanced Dermatology, Norwich, Conn. reviewed Medicare databases and national surveys.
Tanning beds could have something to do with the rise, say advocates. Howard County, Maryland, has already outlawed tanning beds for people under 18 and similar actions have been considered in states nationwide.
Do you tan? Be honest, now...
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