SKIN CANCER STATISTIC

Prevalence and incidence statistics for Skin Cancer:

(Source: excerpt from Skin Cancer: NWHIC)

TopIncidence statistics about Skin Cancer:

59,350 new cases for skin cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)

31,640 new male cases for skin cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)

TopDeath statistics for Skin Cancer:

10,250 estimated deaths for skin cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)

6,590 estimated male deaths for skin cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)

3,660 estimated female deaths for skin cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)

TopSociety statistics for Skin Cancer

TopHospitalization statistics for Skin Cancer:

0.49% (63,037) of hospital episodes were for malignant neoplasms of skin in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

99% of hospital consultations for malignant neoplasms of skin required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

54% of hospital episodes for malignant neoplasms of skin were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

46% of hospital episodes for malignant neoplasms of skin were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

2% of hospital admissions for malignant neoplasms of skin required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

0.12% (64,046) of hospital bed days were for malignant neoplasms of skin in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

0.03% (3,363) of hospital consultant episodes were for carcinoma in situ of skin in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

100% of hospital consultant episodes for carcinoma in situ of skin required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

1% of hospital consultant episodes for carcinoma in situ of skin required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

86% of hospital consultant episodes for carcinoma in situ of skin were single day episodes in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)

0.012% (5) of hospital episodes for malignant neoplasms of skin in public hospitals occurred in males aged 1 to 4 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

0.041% (17) of hospital episodes for malignant neoplasms of skin in public hospitals occurred in males aged 5 to 14 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

9.04% (3,709) of hospital episodes for malignant neoplasms of skin in public hospitals occurred in males aged over 85 in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

0.004% (1) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females under 1 year old in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

0.007% (2) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 1 to 4 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

0.053% (15) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 5 to 14 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

0.28% (79) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 15 to 24 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

1.93% (542) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 25 to 34 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

7.3% (2,047) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 35 to 44 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

14.56% (4,093) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 45 to 54 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

16% (4.494) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 55 to 64 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

20.35% (5,721) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 65 to 74 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

26.15% (7,351) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged 75 to 84 years in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

13.4% (3,767) of hospital episodes for skin cancers in public hospitals occurred in females aged over 85 in Australia 2001-02 (Australian Hospital Data, AIHW, Australia, 2001-02)

There are two main types of skin cancer, malignant melanoma of the skin and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Skin cancers are extremely common. In 2006 over 81,600 non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) were registered in the UK but registration is known to be incomplete. One study estimated that at least 100,000 cases of NMSC are diagnosed each year

Malignant melanomas are the least common but most serious type of skin cancer, with more than 10,400 new cases diagnosed in 2006.3 Melanomas can occur in other body organs e.g. the eye. In this section only cutaneous melanomas (ICD10 C43) are discussed.

The majority of NMSCs are either basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), also known as rodent ulcers, or squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Both forms are highly treatable and survival rates for NMSCs are over 95%. However, if left untreated, these tumours can become destructive, invading local tissues and causing disfigurement.

Whilst BCCs rarely metastasise, SCC can, and in 2006 there were 577 deaths in the UK from NMSC.4-6 Around 80% of NMSCs occur in people aged 60 years and over and they constitute a substantial public health problem due to the very large number of cases each year.