Risk of skin cancer is often underestimated

Skin cancer underestimated: only one-third of early detection is required

01/05/2012

Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, according to Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in 2009 and 2010, only 37 percent of its insured persons 35 or older went to the skin cancer screening test. Apparently the disease is underestimated by many.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer
Although skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, it is underestimated by many. In Germany, skin cancer accounts for more than 250,000 new cases a year, a quarter of cancers, reports the TK. Nevertheless, in the years 2009 and 2010 just one third of insured persons aged 35 years and older went on to undergo skin cancer screening. This examination is free every two years from the age of 35. According to the TK, skin cancer is not taken sufficiently seriously.

Florian von Stern from the TK reports: „The earlier a skin cancer is detected, the better the chances of curing it.“ He further explains: „Especially people who have doubts, because they have already exposed themselves to the sun, have a sensitive skin or even had a skin cancer case in the family should go regularly to the precaution.“

„Black Skincancer“ is especially dangerous
There are three main types of skin cancer: white skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma), spiny cell carcinoma and black skin cancer (malignant carcinoma). While basal cell carcinoma and sting cell carcinoma are usually conspicuous due to unevenness on the skin, and can usually be removed with a small operation, malignant carcinoma, black skin cancer, is far more dangerous. Although this type of skin cancer is much less common, it forms metastases on other organs. The TK reports that in 2010, according to the Federal Statistical Office, 621 people died of the two white skin cancers, but more than 2,700 people died of so-called black skin cancer.

The main cause for the development of skin cancer is UV radiation, which can severely damage the genetic material of the body's cells, causing cancer. TK expert Stern advises: „But the best 'precaution' against skin cancer is still the healthy way of dealing with the bath in the sun. Because the less direct sunlight the person is exposed to, the lower is their probability of getting skin cancer.“ (Ag)

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Picture credits: Dieter Schütz