Abstract
In this study we have shown that the increase in melanomas in older people (and especially in men) has been in superficial spreading melanomas on intermittently sun-exposed sites: truncal tumours in men and tumours on the legs in women. This pattern is the same as recorded over time and epidemiological studies have provided strong evidence that sunny holidays and sunburn incidence risk of this most common melanoma type.
The incidence of all thicknesses of melanoma is increasing over time, but the thinner tumours (less than 1mm in thickness) have increased most rapidly.
Epidemiological studies have previously suggested that sunburn early in life may be especially associated with melanoma risk. When patients now being diagnosed with melanoma over the age of 60, were young, relatively few took sunny holidays overseas and these data may therefore suggest that the increased incidence in older patients is likely to be associated with sunny holidays as adults.
There is a different age distribution for melanoma on the trunk and head and neck especially in men: truncal tumours were most frequent between the ages of 50 and 80 years whereas head and neck tumours became increasingly more frequent with increasing age (as is the case for many solid cancers). This difference may suggest that head and neck melanomas could be related to a different aetiological route to melanoma.
Melanoma incidence rates increased in all deprivation groups but rates in the least deprived population increased faster for older men than younger men.
The proportion of melanoma patients that previously had a squamous cell carcinoma increased faster for older men than younger men. The epidemiology of squamous cell carcinoma appears to be more clearly related to chronic excessive exposure to the sun as would be experienced in outdoor workers. These data, in conjunction with the continued increased frequency of melanomas of the head and neck, especially in men, adds support to the view that chronic sun exposure may have contributed to the increased incidence of melanoma in older men in this body site.
These data suggest that health promotion campaigns should:
• emphasize the risks associated with excessive recreational sun exposure at all ages in those at risk of skin cancer
• encourage the avoidance of chronic sun exposure especially on the head and neck
• deliver early detection campaigns to older individuals and especially to men
The incidence of all thicknesses of melanoma is increasing over time, but the thinner tumours (less than 1mm in thickness) have increased most rapidly.
Epidemiological studies have previously suggested that sunburn early in life may be especially associated with melanoma risk. When patients now being diagnosed with melanoma over the age of 60, were young, relatively few took sunny holidays overseas and these data may therefore suggest that the increased incidence in older patients is likely to be associated with sunny holidays as adults.
There is a different age distribution for melanoma on the trunk and head and neck especially in men: truncal tumours were most frequent between the ages of 50 and 80 years whereas head and neck tumours became increasingly more frequent with increasing age (as is the case for many solid cancers). This difference may suggest that head and neck melanomas could be related to a different aetiological route to melanoma.
Melanoma incidence rates increased in all deprivation groups but rates in the least deprived population increased faster for older men than younger men.
The proportion of melanoma patients that previously had a squamous cell carcinoma increased faster for older men than younger men. The epidemiology of squamous cell carcinoma appears to be more clearly related to chronic excessive exposure to the sun as would be experienced in outdoor workers. These data, in conjunction with the continued increased frequency of melanomas of the head and neck, especially in men, adds support to the view that chronic sun exposure may have contributed to the increased incidence of melanoma in older men in this body site.
These data suggest that health promotion campaigns should:
• emphasize the risks associated with excessive recreational sun exposure at all ages in those at risk of skin cancer
• encourage the avoidance of chronic sun exposure especially on the head and neck
• deliver early detection campaigns to older individuals and especially to men
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Public Health England |
| Number of pages | 33 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2014 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Crown copyright 2014.
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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