Why Skin Cancer Rates in Australia Have Skyrocket Recently

Statistics show that approximately two thirds of Australians are likely to be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old. That is a truly alarming statistic which according to research, is not set to improve any time soon.

Indeed, this makes it look like Australia is a foothold of some sort for the skin cancer epidemic. Visibly, the rate of skin cancer infections has also increased drastically. However, for clarity, this statistic includes melanoma and the less dangerous types such as basal cell carcinomas.

On the bright side, though, the rate of survival for people who have been diagnosed with this disease has also significantly improved.

This information is intriguing, and one begins to wonder; are there any scientific explanations to justify the trend? Of course, you can easily guess some natural factors; it could probably be because we are staying outside longer, or as every adult will say- times are changing.

 But it would also be nice to know what science says, or does it say anything at all?

The answer is yes, and this article will consider skin cancer and why it is becoming more rampant in recent days. Read on for more information.

The scientific perspective on skin cancer trends

Life span: Living longer affects the skin cancer rate, and with improvements in technology and health, the average lifespan has witnessed an upward rise.

According to the Australian Institute for health and welfare, the mean age of a melanoma diagnosis is 61 for women and 64 for men. However, contrasting that with the average life expectancy in 1980, according to statistics from the same institute, it was around 70-71 for men and 76-77 for women.

Moreover, most people weren’t really above the 60 age bracket to have skin cancer noticed or diagnosed at the time. They most likely would have already died from heart disease, which was the biggest killer of Australians.

Active diagnosis: patients and doctors are discovering more cases of skin cancer because there’s a flashlight actively searching for the disease. This is why most melanomas are now discovered early on and tamed before they grow fully.

Climate change: climate change has many adverse effects, including the melting of ice caps and temperature increase. It turns out it also affects our skin health. Science shows that due to warmer temperatures, and people spending more time outside, they have a higher risk of sunburns.

Also, concerning Australia, due to the geographic location (closeness to Antarctica), we are exposed to sun rays with the ozone layer (our shield) at its thinnest. While the ozone layer is gradually healing, it will take long decades to come to effect finally.

Conclusion

In essence, skin cancer is still a disease that requires much attention and more preventive measures. The slip, stop and slap mechanism is a handy one, and while the outdoors is a fun place to be, it is recommended to take enough protection when going outside.

Also, you should remember that a skin cancer diagnosis that comes out positive is not a red light. Once diagnosed in the early stages, there are higher chances of healing, so regular check-ups and visits to the doctor are advised. Don’t become another skin cancer statistic. Get your skin checked every 6 months. If you haven’t had a recent skin check, arrange for an appointment with a renowned skin cancer specialist, such as Skin Clinic Robina.