Skin Cancer Increase a Weighty Issue

while rates of skin cancer caused by too much sun exposure have decreased, obesity is leading a rapid rise to the top of the cancer-causing list.

 In the 25-44 year age range skin cancer rates have decreased by 2%. This is in stark contrast to the increase shown in the over 50’s demographic. The difference in results does however show that the “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign of the early to mid 80’s has been a success.

Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, and whilst Australia still tops the world leader-board in skin cancer frequency, the recent decline in younger generations spells a turning of the tides, thanks to government sponsored education.

And so it is with a sense of desperation that the medical profession is hoping for the same educational benefits to be aimed at an anti-obesity campaign. Obesity is a primary cause of uterine cancer, and rates are predicted to rise by 41% between 2024 and 2028, according to the Cancer Council of Victoria. According to the CEO of Cancer Council Victoria detection rates, mortality rates and frequency of early detection have all improved for some of the most prevalent cancers such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.

This is due mainly to an increase in public education about the causes of such cancers and the symptoms people should watch for, and also an increase in access to detection and screening technology which has vastly improved and continues to do so.

However, cancer caused by obesity has not experienced such success, and there is a distinct lack of education regarding obesity and weight problems as a cause of cancer. According to Mr Harper one in three cancer cases were preventable, and education about the environmental and lifestyle causes of many cancers could help save these lives.

By Erin Lawson