Canadian Dermatology Association 2009 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet
More than 75,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in 2009. (1 ) Approximately 5,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2009 and 940 will die of it.(1 )Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadians. It is also the most common cancer in the world. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer are the two most prevalent forms of this disease. Skin cancers, including melanoma, are highly curable if found and treated early. While less common, melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer since it can spread in the body and cause death. Canadians born in the 1990’s have two to three times higher lifetime risk of getting skin cancer compared to those born in the 1960’s. For those born in the 1990’s, there is a 1 in 6 lifetime risk of having skin cancer. For those born in the 1960’s, there is a 1 in 20 lifetime risk.The main cause of skin cancer is too much UV radiation. Skin cancer is one of a small number of cancers that can be prevented through simple measures such as limiting sun exposure, seeking shade, wearing hats and clothing, and using an SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum sunscreen. There is a group of people at particularly high risk for skin cancer because of their skin type and amount of sun exposure. This includes those with: fair skin and blond or red hair; skin that burns and freckles easily rather than tans; a lot of sun exposure through outdoor work or recreation; many moles (> 50) or some large and unusual moles; a history of severe sunburns. Looking at all cancers found in the 15 to 29 age group, melanoma represented 7% of new cases in young men and 11% of new cases in young women, which may be attributable to social behaviours (seeking a tan), particularly in the latter group.The rising rates of skin cancer are placing increased demands on dermatologists. There are fewer than 650 dermatologists to treat Canada’s population of more than 30 million. The number of dermatologists in Canada is decreasing rapidly as the rate of retirement far outstrips the number of new dermatologists in training. 1 Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009
Skin Cancer Facts
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