‘Skin cancer deaths higher in men than in women’

The global death rates for melanoma — most serious type of skin cancer — has seen a steep rise in men
since 1985, with mortality rates among women rising more slowly or even declining, according to researchers, including one of Indian-origin.
It could be because men are less likely to protect themselves from the sun or engage with melanoma awareness and prevention campaigns, the researchers noted.
“The major risk factor for melanoma is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from sun exposure or from using sunbeds,” said Dorothy Yang, junior doctor at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
“Despite public health efforts to promote awareness of melanoma and encourage sun-smart behaviours, melanoma incidence has been increasing in recent decades,” Yang added.
However, more research is needed to understand the reason for this trend, but in the meantime, more public health efforts targeted at men may be needed to raise awareness of the disease and of sun-smart behaviours, the team noted.(IANS)