More than seven million Europeans estimated to have skin cancer

New research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology’s (EADV) Spring Symposium show that 1.71% of the adult European general population reported having skin cancer, meaning 7,304,000 Europeans are estimated to have the disease.

The research also found that the main reason patients consulted a dermatologist over the past 12 months was for a mole check or skin cancer screening, with over a fifth (22.3%) of appointments made with a skin specialist being to check a mole or lesion.

Marie-Aleth Richard, EADV board member and professor at the University Hospital of La Timone, Marseilles, said that the results of the research demonstrate the need for action for preventing skin cancer.

“Skin cancer has a good prognosis if caught early but is perceived by the population as a serious and life-threatening condition. The survey underscores the need for improved understanding, education and awareness about skin cancer and implementing evidence-based interventions as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan,” she says.

With skin cancer being the most preventable cancer, Richards says, “Skin cancer is part of the 40% of cancers that are preventable and whose incidence we could considerably reduce if we provided more consistent and widespread education to the population.”

The research also uncovered the mental toll of skin cancer with almost half of the people surveyed (46.6%), who reported at least one skin cancer, said that they felt “moderately or extremely anxious and depressed”. The main causes for this fear and anxiety being an alteration in quality of life, surgical scars, death and metastasis.

Almost three in five said that they were impacted in their professional life, with the biggest change being working hours or altering professional activity.

Professor Alexander Stratigos, the president of the EADV says that they are calling for improved registration of skin cancer cases across Europe to help detect those most at risk.

“The EADV is committed to its aim of advancing excellence in patient care and advocating on behalf of dermatology professionals and patients,” he says.