Last updated:
Skin Cancer in Old Person: According to Chinese researchers, skin cancer cases are increasing rapidly in the elderly. In 2021, 4.4 million new cases were registered in people above 65 years of age.
Claim: In the last 3 decades, rapidly increased skin cancer cases in elderly men. (Canva)
Highlights
- Skin cancer cases have increased rapidly in older people in China.
- In 2021, 4.4 million new cases were registered in people above 65 years of age.
- Skin cancer burden is high in countries with high SDI levels.
Skin Cancer in Old Person: According to a study, cases of skin cancer are increasing in the last three decades. Especially in the elderly, there has been a sharp increase in such cancer cases. In addition to aging, the researchers of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongking Medical University in China cited population growth as a big reason for this. The study also states that skin cancer burden is unevenly higher in countries with high socio-genocide index (SDI) levels. In the paper published in JAMA Dermatology, the team said, “Older population (especially men and people living in high SDI countries) are facing increasing cases of skin cancer. It shows that we have to plan to focus on more risk people. Also, it is important to pay attention to the treatment of cancer and its effective prevention.
Data given to 204 countries and regions
– In the study, researchers analyzed about 4.4 million new skin cancer cases recorded in people above 65 years of age in 2021, analyzing squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. This data is based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021 covering 204 countries and regions.
– Conclusions have shown that the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma which begins as the growth of cells on the skin has increased by about 2 percent per year from 1990 to 2021. Basal cell carcinoma and melanoma also saw a boom. These two are different types of skin cancer.
In New Zealand and Australia, the rate of melanoma was recorded in the age of 65 years and above in 2021. East Asia experienced the fastest growth in the burden of basal cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2021.
– Researchers said, “These conclusions highlight the immediate need for targeting strategies and proper use of resources to deal with the increasing public health challenge of skin cancer among the older population.”
