Study: Men over 50 at greater risk for skin cancer
Be safe in the sun: A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that most men are lax when it comes to proper sun protection. | FILE PHOTO
DID YOU KNOW?
More than 3.5 million skin cancer cases affecting 2 million people are diagnosed annually.
It is estimated that there will be about 131,810 new cases of melanoma in 2012 — 55,560 noninvasive (in situ) and 76,250 invasive (44,250 men and 32,000 women).
Caucasians and men older than 50 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
Although before age 40 melanoma incidence rates are higher in women than in men, after 40, rates are almost twice as high in men as in women.
The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.
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Dermatologists warn that men older than 50 have an increased risk of developing melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer. Caucasians and men older than 50 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that most men are lax when it comes to proper sun protection and are unsure how to examine their skin for skin cancer.
The Academy conducted an online survey of adults nationwide. Results from the survey show:
When outside in the sun, less than one-third of men (29 percent) say they always protect their skin, compared with 43 percent of women.
A significantly larger percentage of men (39 percent) than women (28 percent) agreed that they prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about what they should do to protect themselves from it.
Less than half of men (46 percent) indicated they knew how to examine their skin for signs of skin cancer compared with 59 percent of women.
“This survey demonstrates that many men do not protect themselves from the sun when outdoors and that some still believe that sun exposure is good for their health. This is a very troubling combination in light of the fact that the major risk factor for melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet light,” said board-certified dermatologist Thomas E. Rohrer, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine.
“The survey results should serve as a wake-up call to men to be vigilant about protecting their skin from sun exposure and examining their skin regularly for skin cancer,” he said.
A total of 1,151 adults ages 18 and older completed the online survey, which was conducted by Relevant Research Inc. of Chicago. Data was weighted by sex, age, race/ethnicity and education level based on the U.S. Census Current Population Survey.
Click here to learn how to perform a skin self-exam, download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin, and find free skin cancer screenings.
To learn what you can do to prevent skin cancer, click here.