In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the 20 Countries with the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer. For a quick overview of the top five countries, read our article 5 Countries with the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer.
Skin Cancer Statistics Worldwide
Skin cancer, a malignancy that begins in the cells of the skin, is more than just a localized concern — it’s a global health issue. Skin cancer, when categorized into its three primary types — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma — presents varying degrees of risk. Melanoma, despite accounting for only about 1% of skin cancer cases, causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, which makes it the deadliest.
The prevalence of skin cancer has been on the rise globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year.
Notably, the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer. Between 2005-2020, melanoma rates increased by 44%, making it one of the fastest-growing cancers in terms of incidence.
The incidence rates of skin cancer vary dramatically across different parts of the world, largely due to differences in skin type, climatic conditions, and cultural habits. The Skin Cancer Foundation highlights that in the United States alone, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined. Furthermore, an estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
In addition to the human cost, the economic burden of skin cancer is enormous. In the United States alone, the annual cost of treating skin cancers is estimated at $8.1 billion — about $4.8 billion for non-melanoma skin cancers and $3.3 billion for melanoma.
However, the good news is that the early detection and treatment of skin cancer can drastically improve patient outcomes. The five-year survival rate for melanoma, if detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes, is as high as 98%.
The WHO emphasizes the effectiveness of preventive measures such as avoiding midday sun, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen, in reducing the risk of skin cancer.
Where is Skin Cancer Most Common in the World
The prevalence of skin cancer is particularly high in certain regions, primarily due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
When it comes to the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer, Australia and New Zealand consistently report the highest incidences. This can be attributed to their geographical location, which places them closer to the ozone hole over Antarctica, thereby exposing them to higher levels of harmful UV radiation. Additionally, these countries have large populations of individuals with fair skin, which is more susceptible to UV damage. The outdoor-oriented lifestyle popular in these nations further increases exposure to the sun.
It’s important to note that Europe isn’t exempt from this concern either. Despite less intense sun exposure, Northern European countries like Norway and Denmark report high incidences of melanoma, likely due to their large fair-skinned populations.
Lowest Skin Cancer Rates by Country
Countries in Africa, particularly those in the Central and Western regions, generally exhibit the lowest rates of skin cancer globally. In Asia, countries such as Japan, China, and India also report lower rates of skin cancer. This can largely be attributed to the darker skin types of the majority of their populations, which provide some natural protection against UV radiation due to higher melanin content. The cultural practice of avoiding sun exposure, prevalent in many Asian societies, also contributes to this lower incidence.
Skin cancer rates in the Middle East have also not been traditionally as high as in Western countries. However, there has been an increasing trend of skin cancer rates in several Middle Eastern countries, such as Israel, which has a significant population of fair-skinned individuals. A key reason for this is likely the high level of UV radiation exposure combined with a population that has a higher proportion of individuals susceptible to sun damage.
It’s worth mentioning that there are substantial differences within the region, with countries closer to the equator having a higher incidence rate than those further away.
The Role of the Skin Care Industry in Fighting the Disease
The global fight against skin cancer has led to the rise of a thriving industry focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment. This industry, which is a segment of the larger oncology market, encompasses pharmaceuticals, biotech firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare technology companies.
At the forefront of this industry are pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing new and innovative treatments for skin cancer. These range from topical creams and traditional chemotherapy to more targeted treatments like immunotherapies and targeted therapies, which aim to attack cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.
Companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY), Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK), and Roche (SWX:ROG) have been key players in the skin cancer therapeutics market with approved drugs like Opdivo, Keytruda, and Tecentriq, respectively.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) has been at the forefront of the oncology sector. One of the most significant products of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) is Opdivo (nivolumab), an immunotherapy drug that has been used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company. Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) immunotherapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) has been approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma and is associated with improved survival and fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
Roche (SWX:ROG) has been at the forefront of cancer research and treatment for many years. Roche’s (SWX:ROG) medication Zelboraf (vemurafenib) has been a game-changer for patients with a specific type of metastatic melanoma.
The medical device sector has also seen substantial growth. Dermoscopy devices, for example, used for the early detection of skin cancer, have seen increasing adoption across healthcare settings.
Finally, the rise of digital health technologies has fostered the growth of companies providing apps or AI-based solutions for skin cancer detection. For instance, companies like SkinVision and Miiskin have developed apps allowing users to monitor their skin and detect potential skin cancer signs early.
Photo by national cancer institute on Unsplash
Methodology
To create this list of countries with the highest rates of skin cancer, we utilized data from the Global Cancer Observatory’s (GCO) “Estimated Age-Standardized Incidence Rates (World) in 2020” index. The GCO is part of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health Organization (WHO).
For this specific list, we focused on incidence rates of two types of skin cancer: melanoma of the skin and non-melanoma skin cancer for all age groups. These estimates were gathered from the GLOBOCAN database, a segment of the GCO. GLOBOCAN provides contemporary estimates of the incidence of, mortality, and prevalence of major types of cancer, at a national level, for 185 countries of the world.
To ensure the validity and accuracy of our findings, we specifically examined sex- and age-specific incidence rates in 2020. These rates provide an understanding of how skin cancer impacts different genders and age groups within a population. It’s important to note that these rates are standardized per 100,000 individuals to account for variations in population size between countries and enable accurate comparisons.
Below is our list of the top countries with the highest rates of skin cancer.
Top 20 Countries with the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer
20. Czech Republic
Skin cancer incidence rate: 24.5
Between 1977 and 2018 in Czechia, melanoma showed the highest increase among all malignant neoplasms, with an average annual rise of 4.0% in men and 3.3% in women. WHO 2020 data reported 2,587 new cases of melanoma and 427 deaths as a result.
19. Italy
Skin cancer incidence rate: 26.4
Italian Cancer Society reports that Italian people get an annual average incidence of 12.5 skin melanoma cases for males and 13.1 cases for females per 100,000 population. WHO 2020 data reports around 12,515 new melanoma cases in Italy and 2,224 deaths as a result.
18. Austria
Skin cancer incidence rate: 27.5
According to the WHO 2020 data, Austria reported 2,043 new cases of melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is one of the five most frequent cancers in the country, alongside the cancers of the prostate, lung, bladder, and colorectum.
17. Slovenia
Skin cancer incidence rate: 28.4
Melanoma is one of the top five most frequent cancers in Slovenia as well, with new reported incidence cases of 735 and death number of 127 each year. Prostate, lung, colon, and breast cancers are the other four major types of cancer in the country.
16. Finland
Skin cancer incidence rate: 29.7
Despite its high quality of life and happiness score, Finland ranks among the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer. Melanoma diagnoses in Finland are increasing by 5% annually, with potential underdiagnoses due to Covid-related disruptions. Warmer future summers may raise skin cancer risk due to increased UV radiation.
15. France
Skin cancer incidence rate: 36.9
France has been estimated to reach an alarming 433,136 new cancer cases in 2023. Cancer remains the primary cause of premature death in men, and the second in women. The surge is attributed to population growth, aging, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
14. United Kingdom
Skin cancer incidence rate: 39.8
Melanoma diagnoses in the UK reached a record 19,256 new cases in 2020, making it the fifth most common cancer in the country. These higher rates are tied to trends for tanned skin and the rise of cheap holidays in the sun. Despite the surge in cases, skin cancer-related deaths are decreasing due to early diagnosis and treatment.
13. Sweden
Skin cancer incidence rate: 40.8
Sweden experiences a high incidence of skin cancer, with almost 4,266 new annual melanoma diagnoses and 562 fatalities in 2020, driven by the population’s affinity for sun exposure during travel and the use of tanning beds. Despite being well-informed about the risks, the appeal of tanning often outweighs future health warnings among Swedes.
12. Norway
Skin cancer incidence rate: 41.7
Norway’s melanoma cases increased significantly in 2022, with 2,911 diagnoses, 468 more than the previous year. The most significant growth was observed among the elderly. Norway leads globally in both melanoma cases and related deaths, largely linked to sun exposure and sunbed usage.
11. Luxembourg
Skin cancer incidence rate: 42.8
Skin cancer is one of the five major cancers in Luxembourg, followed by cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colorectum. In 2020 alone, approximately 144 new instances of melanoma were identified, leading to 18 unfortunate fatalities.
10. Belgium
Skin cancer incidence rate: 45.0
In the year 2020, Belgium experienced a significant number of new melanoma diagnoses, with a total of 3,372 cases. These cases resulted in 413 fatalities. Notably, melanoma is the fourth most prevalent cancer among Belgian women, accounting for a consequential 5% of all female cancer cases.
9. Denmark
Skin cancer incidence rate: 45.9
In 2020, Denmark recorded 2,886 new melanoma skin cancer cases, with a death number of 341 per 100,000 population. The country sees an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), especially among outdoor workers who face 1.6 times the risk compared to indoor workers.
8. Germany
Skin cancer incidence rate: 51.8
In 2020, Germany experienced a significant incidence of melanoma, with 17,260 new cases in males and 14,208 cases in females. In total, 31,468 individuals were affected by melanoma. Factors such as regional UV radiation levels, sunshine hours, and sociodemographic characteristics are considered to significantly influence the prevalence of skin cancer in the country.
7. The Netherlands
Skin cancer incidence rate: 61.5
Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in Dutch men and women, with 8,310 new cases diagnosed and 906 deaths as a result in 2020. Many skin cancer patients in the Netherlands develop multiple skin tumors. Research reveals that 1 in 6 Dutch people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 50 will develop a melanoma.
6. Ireland
Skin cancer incidence rate: 63.3
Ireland ranks sixth when it comes to the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer. In Ireland, over 1,1316 new skin cancer cases were diagnosed in 2020, leading to 181 deaths as a result. Most skin cancer-related mortalities in Ireland are due to outdoor work, such as construction, farming, and fishing. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation and sunlight without proper protection is considered a major reason for causing skin cancer in Irish people.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer is originally published on Insider Monkey.