[Epidemiology, risk factor and screening for melanoma and other skin cancers]

Abstract

Skin malignancies are frequent but their incidence and severity vary according to the histological type. Age standardized incidence is 3 (in the world), 20 (United States, Australia) and 12 (France) per 100,000 people. Differences in incidences reflect differences in people's phototype, ultraviolet exposure and cultural habit regarding solar exposure. Melanoma linked mortality exceeds 7 per 100,000 persons in Australia; in France, after having increased after the mid-20th century, it was stabilized at 2 deaths/100,000/year from melanoma in 2005. Sun exposure is a key risk factor for several skin cancers: 68% of deaths from melanoma are attributable to ultraviolet radiation. Since solar and artificial ultraviolet radiations are avoidable, limiting ultraviolet exposure should be promoted to decrease morbidity from melanoma.