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- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
- More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S

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-High altitude and low latitude mean less atmospheric protection from damaging sun rays (UV radiation)
-Since its also so hot that means less coverage of clothes meaning the sun hits the skin more.

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Arizona is close to the sun (high altitude), close to the equator (low latitude), and has a warm climate all year. High altitude and low latitude mean less atmospheric protection from damaging sun rays (UV radiation). Plus, a warmer climate means more time spent outside YEAR ROUND with less clothing (short-sleeves, tank tops, etc.) protecting your skin. All these factors have the potential to put Arizona residents at higher risk of skin cancer.

General Skin Cancer Rates

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States today. The two most diagnosed forms are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These are considered "non-melanoma skin cancers" (NMSC), and as a result, the actual number of cases is difficult to estimate because these cases are not required to be reported to cancer registries. The most recent study of NMSC occurrence in 2006, estimated approximately 3.5 million cases of NMSC, diagnosed among 2.2 million people (1). This is due to more than one NMSC being found in some individuals. BCC and SCC are usually very curable skin cancers. Almost all are caused by too much ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun and tanning beds. Rates of NMSC in Arizona are presumably high, as we have year-round temperate days, exposing people to potentially excessive amounts of UVR.

Melanoma Rates

The incidence of melanoma has been reported as increasing in the United States. In Arizona, melanoma incidence rates from 1999 to 2001 were reported as also increasing, but at a slightly higher rate than for the United States as a whole (2). However, in a 2005-2007 report, the incidence rates for melanoma were 30% lower for Arizona men and 21% lower for Arizona women than the U.S. average (3). Reasons for this change in trends are not known, but it is suspected that under-reporting of skin cancers by clinics, hospitals and physicians may be partially responsible for the decline.

Melanoma of the Skin
Incidence Rates by State, 2012

Click here for an interactive map of incidence in the most recent study, 2012: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/state.htm

Melanoma Reporting

In Arizona, cancer data management is the responsibility of the Arizona Cancer Registry (ACR). In 1992, reporting of all cancer cases, including melanoma, by hospitals, clinics, and physicians became mandatory. The ACR is a passive registry, meaning that ACR personnel do not actively visit pathology laboratories or health provider offices to identify and abstract cancer cases. Instead, the registry relies solely on providers sending appropriate report forms to the ACR. Cancer incidence rates are calculated from data maintained by state cancer registries, and these data are highly dependent on the actual reporting of cancer cases from community sources, including physicians. The potential for underreporting can be especially high with melanoma, as it is frequently diagnosed and treated in outpatient settings.

The Arizona Melanoma Task Force

In 2012, because of concerns that the observed drop in melanoma incidence in Arizona represented under-reporting rather than real change, an ad hoc statewide public health partnership (The Arizona Melanoma Task Force) was formed to assess the degree of under-reporting of melanoma, identify barriers to reporting by providers, and recommend strategies for increasing reporting. The work of the Arizona Melanoma Task Force demonstrated high levels of under-reporting of melanoma to the ACR, particularly for in situ and locally staged tumors. See the full research study here: public_health_reports_manucript_nov2015_1.pdf
Using findings from initial research, the Task Force has implemented strategies to improve case reporting:

Revision of the cancer reporting form to be more melanoma-specific.

Statement developed to be added to all melanoma pathology reports that melanoma was a reportable disease, along with information on how to report cases to the ACR.

New communication channels with dermatologists were developed including:

Presentations to county and state dermatology societies

Development of more up-to-date mail and e-mail lists

Creation and distribution of biannual reports to Arizona dermatologists about the need for melanoma reporting and a review of their current cases as reported to the ACR

These reports can be found at the ACR website.

The Task Force continues to meet regularly to assure that reports to the practices continue and to evaluate new reporting methods. Physicians and practice staff members appear to have a strong desire to increase the technology related to reporting. As new technologies become available, the Task Force members will review their impact.

References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2015. acs_2015.pdf

2. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures 2012. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2012. acs_2012.pdf

3. Newton C, Yee GA. Cancer in Arizona: cancer incidence and mortality, 2005-2007. Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Cancer Registry; 2008.

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Arizona is close to the sun (high altitude), close to the equator (low latitude), and has a warm climate all year. High altitude and low latitude mean less atmospheric protection from damaging sun rays (UV radiation). Plus, a warmer climate means more time spent outside YEAR ROUND with less clothing (short-sleeves, tank tops, etc.)

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- Smoking damages DNA in skin tissue, leading to errant cell growth having more risk to get Skin Cancer.

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-Just applying sunscreen could help you with the chances of not getting Skin Cancer,

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Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. If you have skin cancer, it is important to know which type you have because it affects your treatment options and your outlook (prognosis). If you aren't sure which type of skin cancer you have, ask your doctor so you can get the right information.

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Skin Cancer | Skin Cancer Facts | Common Skin Cancer Types

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Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. If you have skin cancer, it is important to know which type you have because it affects your treatment options and your outlook (prognosis). If you aren't sure which type of skin cancer you have, ask your doctor so you can get the right information.

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-Risk factors for skin cancer include age, overexposure to sun, severe sunburns, family history, and smoking

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-Just in Arizona skin cancer is the most common cancer in this state.

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-Skin cancer is more common as a person gets older but melanoma can occur at an early age.

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-Basal cell
-Squamous cell
-Melanoma cell