Trends in incidence of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers in central Serbia

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The incidence of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) has been increasing over the past decades worldwide. NMSC is the most common cancer in white population and melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers today. The objective of the paper was to determine trends in age-standardized incidence rates of NMSC and melanoma in central Serbia from 1999 to 2013. Method A descriptive epidemiological study was done. Data about incidence for NMSC and melanoma were obtained from the Serbian Cancer Registry and data about population originating from 1991, 2001, and 2011 censuses. Crude incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants. Direct method of standardization was performed with the world population as the standard. Trend lines were estimated using linear regression. Results During a 15-year period, the total number of new NMSC cases was 41,719 [21,690 (52%) in men and 20,029 (48%) in women]. There were 5,781 new cases of melanoma [2,969 (51.4%) in men and 2,812 (48.6%) in women]. A significantly increasing incidence trend for NMSC both in men (y = 0.617x + 24.29, R 2 = 0.500) and women (y = 0.672x + 0.670, R 2 = 0.670) was determined. In the same period, a statistically significant increase of incidence trend for melanoma was determined in men (y = 0.111x + 3.708, R 2 = 0.384) and in women (y = 0.098x + 3.375, R 2 = 0.409). NMSC was registered in persons of all ages. NMSC incidence increased rapidly in persons older than 50 years. Melanoma predominates in children and adolescents and is registered more frequently than NMSC in persons bellow 60 years of age. Conclusion Our findings showed significantly increasing trend of age-standardized incidence rates for both NMCC and melanoma. In the observed period, there were 7.2 times more new cases of NMSC than melanoma in the population of central Serbia. There were more registered new cases of NMSC and melanoma in men than in women. Screening of skin cancers and earlier diagnosis may improve treatment and prognosis.

Trend Patterns of Melanoma Skin in Serbia from 1999 to 2020

“…Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer and due to its increasing incidence, particularly in the most developed countries, it represents a great challenge for primary prevention. Despite its being less common than non-melanoma skin cancer, it is one of the most invasive and treatment-resistant skin cancer [29]. The existing therapy of melanoma is very expensive and it could be used in some patients with predisposition for the good outcome.…”

Non-melanoma skin cancer in Serbia (1999-2015) -the need for national prevention and control strategy

“…This national register-based study analyzes the trends of NMSC over a period of 17 years and it is one of the few studies (18,22) describing the incidence of NMSC in the Serbia. Our study showed that NMSC is the most common among the elderly; the age-specific incidence rates is the highest in the age group over 70 years (50%) and very low in the younger age (3%).…”

“…In Europe, Euromelanoma as a pan-European prevention programme against NMSC and melanoma started in 1999 and spread in 33 countries (Serbia included) (19,20,21). However, public health significance of NMSC seems to be unrecognized in Serbia, there is no national prevention strategy for control this cancer and only a few studies reported incidence rate of NMSC in Serbia (18,22).…”

Environment and health - thirty years of successful implementation of the Montreal protocol

“…The results of a Romanian study showed that patients suffering from basal cell carcinoma were occupationally exposed to UV radiation [35]. In the Republic of Serbia (RS), the occurrence and number of skin cancer cases has been increasing lately, along with other forms of cancers, but also the methods for their detection are becoming increasingly successful [36,37,38]. The Rulebook on Determination of Occupational Diseases (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, no.…”