Skin cancer cases could increase significantly by 2050, while melanoma, the most dangerous form of the disease, is expected to become an even greater threat to public health globally.
A new study warns that skin cancer diagnoses have increased significantly in recent years, not just in Britain, but around the world. In the UK, melanoma cases have increased by almost a third over the past decade.
Currently, there are around 19,400 new cases of melanoma in the UK each year and around 2,600 deaths. Exposure to ultraviolet rays, whether from the sun or tanning beds, is considered the main cause of the disease.
The two main forms of non-melanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are also on the rise. These are also largely linked to exposure to UV rays.
According to global data, melanoma cases have increased from 287,723 in 2018 to 331,722 in 2022. Researchers from Shenzhen People's Hospital in China warn that the global burden of the three main types of skin cancer may continue to worsen in the coming decades.
In the study, published in JAMA Dermatology, the team analyzed global health data from 1990 to 2023, including cases, deaths, and the impact of the disease on quality of life. The researchers then projected how these figures might change by 2050.
Using an indicator that measures years lost to premature death and years lived with disability, researchers estimate that the burden of melanoma could increase from about 2 million healthy life years lost to over 3.3 million.
Experts warn that many people still underestimate the importance of sun protection. UV rays are mainly divided into two types: UVA, which penetrate deeper into the skin, and UVB, which affect the outer layer and cause most sunburns.
The UV index measures the intensity of these rays and helps people understand the level of risk. Values of 1 to 2 are considered low, while 11 or more are extremely high. However, any level above 3 can be harmful to the skin for most people.
Doctors emphasize that repeated sunburns significantly increase the risk of melanoma. According to experts, more than five sunburns in a lifetime can double the risk of this disease.
The main symptoms of melanoma include the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole on any part of the body, especially in areas exposed to the sun. Rarer forms can also appear on the eyes, soles of the feet, palms of the hands, genitals, and nails.
Health authorities advise regular mole checks, avoiding the sun during the hottest hours of the day, covering arms and legs, and using sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30. /GazetaExpress/
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