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While there has been multiple observational studies saying different things, this Norwegian study found time spent outdoors was not associated with developing skin cancer: https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...91743521001407
However, sun exposure is GOOD for your overall even if it may increase your risk of skin cancer (it decreases your risk of other cancers). This study found that 340,000 Americans die prematurely due to insufficient sun exposure: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7400257/ .
In contrast, around 8,000 Americans die of skin cancer every year
I partly agree, sometimes doctors are at fault. But diagnosis is a complicated matter and that's what the doctors themselves say. A doctor told us that at least half of any changes in the skin after the age of 40 should be considered as a potential pre-cancer. And what and when it will turn into skin cancer is difficult to predict. Doctors not only visually have difficulty in diagnosis, they write that the biopsy may not show immediately accurate results. In this article it is briefly shown that there are difficulties with diagnosis. it's easy to get confused and make mistakes
That's the thing, my brother saw a redness and swelling on the skin that seemed very suspicious to him. He went to the doctor and he said that he didn't see anything dangerous, but he ordered a biopsy. The biopsy showed solar keratosis. Treatment didn't help, and later a repeat biopsy showed squamous cancer. Yeah, biopsies aren't accurate either. I understand this to mean that until the doctors notice some transformations and obvious changes on the skin, they wait, and before that do not give importance to everything that is pointed out to them on the skin, apparently not to waste their time, and take more patients.
Interesting stats about skin cancer globally. What struck me was that while Australia has a slightly higher rate of skin cancer than New Zealand, the death rate from skin cancer in Australia is half of that of New Zealand.
Melanoma skin cancer rates
Rank Country ASR*/100,000
1 Australia 36.6
2 New Zealand 31.6
3 Denmark 29.7
4 The Netherlands 27.0
5 Norway 26.4
6 Sweden 23.3
7 Switzerland 21.6
8 Germany 20.5
9 Slovenia 19.7
10 Finland 19.5
Melanoma skin cancer deaths
Rank Country ASR*/100,000
1 New Zealand 4.7
2 Norway 3.2
3 Montenegro 3.0
4 Slovakia 2.8
5 Slovenia 2.6
6 Australia 2.4
7 Denmark 2.4
8 Croatia 2.4
9 The Netherlands 2.3
10 Serbia 2.3
*ASR = age-standardised rates. These are a summary measure of the rate of disease that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Standardisation is necessary when comparing populations that differ with respect to age because age has a powerful influence on the risk of dying from cancer.
Interesting stats about skin cancer globally. What struck me was that while Australia has a slightly higher rate of skin cancer than New Zealand, the death rate from skin cancer in Australia is half of that of New Zealand.
Melanoma skin cancer rates
Rank Country ASR*/100,000
1 Australia 36.6
2 New Zealand 31.6
3 Denmark 29.7
4 The Netherlands 27.0
5 Norway 26.4
6 Sweden 23.3
7 Switzerland 21.6
8 Germany 20.5
9 Slovenia 19.7
10 Finland 19.5
Melanoma skin cancer deaths
Rank Country ASR*/100,000
1 New Zealand 4.7
2 Norway 3.2
3 Montenegro 3.0
4 Slovakia 2.8
5 Slovenia 2.6
6 Australia 2.4
7 Denmark 2.4
8 Croatia 2.4
9 The Netherlands 2.3
10 Serbia 2.3
*ASR = age-standardised rates. These are a summary measure of the rate of disease that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Standardisation is necessary when comparing populations that differ with respect to age because age has a powerful influence on the risk of dying from cancer.
The first Basal Cell Cancer I had was not biopsied by two different PCP doctors. The first burned ot "off", bit it returned. Said don't worry. Changed insurance, second doctor said doesn't look like cancer. Went to detmatologist, said looked like skin cancer. The Basal Cell Carcinoma wad removed.
I have had many solar keratosis spots burned, mostly on my face, but some on my arms. I had a spot on my forehead, he said. I could not even see it. He sprayed it lightly and it did not heal up. Had to go back in and it was biopsied and was squamous cell, so had to have Mohs. It seemed like the freezing just aggravated it, as it was not applied thoroughly enough to take care of it, apparently. I also use Efudex several times a year. They have a blue light treatment that is sounding like a better option than the Efudex, which must be applied for 21 days.
As Australia has such a high rate of skin cancer there is a high awareness of it. Though I would have thought the same would apply for New Zealand. 70% of the population here end up with some sort of skin cancer, though that includes BCCs and SCCs.
If you do not get them treated they will not go away, so most people prefer to get them dealt with. There are numerous skin doctors, who are GPs who only deal with skin cancer, as well as dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Having skin checks and treatments is generally regarded more of a nuisance than something to fear.
I had a BCC diagnosed recently by a skin doctor, who could have removed it. But I chose to pay extra to go to a plastic surgeon as it was on my jaw. I am red-headed and have had to avoid too much sun my whole life. Like many, I take vitamin C tablets. Keep in mind that our very strong sun causes the skin to age badly as well. We were on a tour last year and the Americans were mostly overweight and the Aussies were mostly wrinkly!
Generally there is a compromise between competing issues with health care. The official advice here is being modified to account for the very different rates of skin cancer between people with different coloured skin.
This may seem counter-intuitive to those not comfortable with mathematics, but the cancer rates & death rates given in the earlier post show that there is NO difference in the various countries listed. They all fall within 2 SDs of the mean, ie- statistically identical..,It's kinda like a home run hit into the upper deck vs one that only lands in the basket at Wrigley-- the long one is more impressive but they both only count equally for one run.
BTW-- GP & NPs refer you for biopsies because their malpractice ins may not cover them for biopsies and also to spread that liability around. They probably don't have training to do biopsies.
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