Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Is Killing More People Globally Than Melanoma

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is responsible for more deaths worldwide than melanoma, the more serious form of skin cancer, according to a new study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2023.

NMSC refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and is typically more treatable than melanoma. In 2020, approximately 1.2 million cases of NMSC were reported worldwide. In that same year, 324,635 cases of melanoma, which develops in the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin), were reported.

Researchers analyzed data from the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer and found a higher incidence of skin cancer in fair-skinned and elderly populations from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, and Italy. However, countries with a high proportion of darker-skinned people were not immune to the risk of death from skin cancer. Research showed 11,281 people died of skin cancer in Africa.

“Although NMSC is less likely to be fatal than melanoma skin cancer, its prevalence is strikingly higher. In 2020, NMSC accounted for 78% of all skin cancer cases, resulting in over 63,700 deaths. In contrast, melanoma caused an estimated 57,000 fatalities in the same year. The significantly higher incidence of NMSC has, therefore, led to a more substantial overall impact,” said Professor Thierry Passeron, lead author of the study, in a press release.

“Our study did not find consistent evidence to suggest that having more dermatologists per capita could reduce mortality rates,” Prof. Thierry added.  “We therefore need to explore what strategies these countries are employing to reduce the impact of skin cancer in further depth.”