Epidemiology and Economic Burden of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Skin cancer includes 2 large groups: cutaneousmelanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most commonform of cancer in the world and approximately40%ofallmalignancies.Theincidenceofnonmela-noma skin cancer has increased since the 1990s,but its mortality rate has decreased. The followingaremajorenvironmentalandrisk factorsforNMSC: Frequent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiationor sunlight Thinning of the ozone layer Immune suppression Increased life longevity Mutations in the PTCH gene Fair skinUV radiation is considered to be the most impor-tant factor for the development of skin cancer.NMSCisseenmostlyinmenandgenerallyappearsinolderpatients,buttheincidenceinyoungwomenhas increased because of lifestyle changes, relatedto clothing and increased sun exposure. NMSCis usually located on sun-exposed areas of thebody. These carcinomas are seen mostly on thehead, neck, trunk, and the limbs.