Trends in skin cancer incidence in Neuchâtel, 1976-98

Aims and background: Limited data are available on trends in skin cancer Incidence. This paper examines trends of the three major histotypes of skin cancer in an environment favorable for skin cancer registration. Methods: Trends of skin cancer incidence by histotype in the Swiss Canton of Neuchatel (165,000 inhabitants) were analyzed on the basis of 4,455 incident cases of basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma registered over the period 1976-198. Results: Trends over the last decade considered tended to be downwards for squamous cell carcinoma in both sexes, were still on the rise for basal cell carcinoma, and leveled off for malignant melanoma in both sexes. Conclusions: Different trends were confirmed in this population between skin cancer histotypes related to cumulative Intense sun exposure (squamous cell carcinoma) and those mainly related to more complex patterns of exposure to sunlight (basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma).