ABSTRACT
Skin cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in fair-skinned people (Diepgen and Mahler, 2002; Ley, 2002). The incidence of both the more common nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and the more lethal cutaneous melanomas continue to increase, reaching epidemic numbers. NMSC accounts for up to one-third of all cancers in the United States and Australia. According to recent population-based studies from Australia, the incidence rate is over 2% for basal cell carcinomas in males and 1% for squamous cell carcinomas. Mortality for NMSC is low. Surgical therapy is highly effective, but recurrence is frequent. Therefore, the associated morbidity is signifi cant to the patient as is the burden on health care system. For melanoma, the American Cancer Society predicted there would be approximately 53,600 new cases in the United States during 2002, and 7400 deaths from melanoma during the same period. In Australia, there are over 50 new cases of melanoma per 100,000. The good news is that among cancers, skin cancer is believed to be one of the most preventable malignancies. Life style risks include ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and diet. These factors can be modulated to decrease risk.
