The 2012 edition of The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal features medically reviewed, reader-friendly articles such as tanning, the increasing incidence of skin cancer diagnoses among young women, & the prevalence of melanoma among white males over 50.
INTERNATIONAL
In most of Western Europe, government agencies, physicians' associations and non-profi t organiza- tions started skin cancer awareness campaigns in the early 1980's.
In Central and Eastern Europe, however, such education efforts were fewer and started signifi cantly later. Several countries in the region have fi nally begun skin cancer prevention campaigns and nationwide screening programs only within the last fi ve years. 7
The Romanian Skin Cancer Foundation aims to decrease skin cancer incidence and mortality in Romania through public and medical educational programs.
of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most frequently occurring skin cancers, are not reg- istered by most countries. Although seldom fatal, NMSC can nonetheless cause signifi cant pain and disfi gure- ment. It can also saddle millions of people with burdensome treatment costs, as skin cancer is estimated to be the most common cancer in white populations.2,3
REGIONAL DISPARITIES There are signifi cant differences in skin cancer burden and prognosis among European regions. In Northern and Western Europe, with largely light-skinned Caucasian populations, the number of new melanoma cases diagnosed every year has increased fourfold over the last decade, and incidence rates approach those of
Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most frequently occurring skin cancers, are not registered by most countries.
68 the US.3 The vast majority (more than
70 percent) of these melanomas are detected while still less than 1mm thick in diameter,4,5
which is fortu-
nate, since the thinner the melanoma, the more easily treated. These thin tumors have a good prognosis, and melanoma patients in Northern and Western Europe have a greater than 80 percent chance of survival fi ve years after diagnosis. 6 In contrast, in Central and Eastern
Europe, a large portion of melanomas are discovered later, when they have grown thick and can be life- threatening. Consequently, melanoma survival in countries like Slovakia and Poland is only about 60 percent.6
The
situation is likely even more somber in countries further east, like Romania, where health records are incomplete. The current situation in Central
and Eastern Europe is likely rooted in recent history. Twenty years ago, many countries in this region emerged from half-century-long totalitarian regimes and went through turbulent economic and social transformation. Their health care and public education systems, like their economic and social policies, struggled through reforms, and fi nancial constraints left skin cancer far down the list of public health priorities. Public education on the prevention and early detection of skin cancer is essential to reducing
An important step in the
European fi ght against skin cancer was taken with
Euromelanoma — the fi rst pan-European skin cancer prevention initiative.
The EU supports various broad initiatives, including multi-national research projects such as EPIDERM and EUROSUN, which analyze the impact of skin cancer
risk factors like UV exposure from the sun and the use of tanning beds on people throughout Europe.
The European Partnership for Action
against Cancer brings together member countries to tackle cancer more evenly and effectively across the EU.
incidence and mortality. It has been mostly neglected.
LEADING THE WAY In most of Western Europe, govern- ment agencies, physicians' associations and non-profi t organizations started skin cancer awareness campaigns in the early 1980s. These campaigns developed and distributed educational materials on skin cancer prevention and detection, and many provided free skin screenings. As both physicians and the public became more aware of the dangers of skin cancer, early detection increased, leading to better survival rates. Sun safety (prevention) behaviors also improved, as more people began to use sun protection.
LAGGING BEHIND In Central and Eastern Europe, however, such education efforts were fewer and started signifi cantly later. Several countries in the region have fi nally begun skin cancer prevention campaigns and nationwide screening programs only within the last fi ve years. 7
Sunburns, which are linked
to an increased risk of melanoma,8,9 are still frequent, especially among children and adolescents. Many people, especially the elderly and those living in rural areas, still know little of the dangers of excessive sun exposure and the risks of skin cancer, though
SK IN CANCER FOUNDAT ION JOURNA L