Key strategies to reduce skin cancer prevalence in UK youth

March 16, 2017

Highlights

  • Research confirms skin cancer is disproportionately high in the UK youth population.
  • 86% of skin cancer cases could be prevented.
  • £100 million per year is spent managing skin cancer in the UK.
  • A scoping review identified demographic and environmental risk factors.
  • Primary and secondary prevention approaches should be implemented.

Abstract

Skin cancer is disproportionately high in the youth population of the United Kingdom, as compared with other cancers, yet it is a topic which so far has received little recognition, subsequently relevant literature is relatively scarce.  In the United Kingdom, malignant melanoma is now one of the commonest cancers in those aged 15–34 years. Furthermore, malignant melanoma the 7th most common cancer in men, and 5th most common cancer in women in the United Kingdom in 2013 accounting for 4% of all cancer cases in the United Kingdom. Moreover, skin cancer is currently the fastest growing cancer in the world with a five-fold increase in frequency since the 1970′s resulting in disfigurement and death.

This essay explores this skin cancer age-related anomaly through the lens of public health. A scoping review combined with a thematic analysis of literature, identified risk factors including demographic and environmental risk factors within the youth population. Research suggests that 86% of cases could be prevented alleviating the current financial burden of over £100 million spent on managing skin cancer. I therefore suggest a multi primary and secondary prevention approach through education programs, whilst promoting awareness and tanning alternatives targeting both youth and parental populations. A final recommendation involves government incentives to increase sun protective factor (SPF) in creams, and imposing a complete national ban on tanning beds. All these preventions would contribute to lowering skin cancer prevalence in the youth population whilst also alleviating the financial burden of the disease.

Source:

Robertson, F M-L and Fizgerald, L.  Skin cancer in the youth population of the United Kingdom. Journal of Cancer Policy.  June 2017 Volume 12, Pages 67–71.
http://www.journalcancerpolicy.net/article/S2213-5383(16)30047-9/abstract


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