Epidemiology and Economic Burden of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

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Incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer

The registration of incidence rates of NMSC is likely not correct because NMSC is considered a negligible health problem with low risks of mortality and morbidity. NMSC is curable when it is detected early and appropriately treated; it can also be prevented through protective measures. Therefore, it is important to determine the number of cases in the population. We do know that NMSC is the most common cancer affecting Caucasians, with the incidence increasing worldwide. Australia has the

Health care costs of nonmelanoma skin cancer

The increasing incidence of NMSC has an important impact on health care costs. Skin cancer has the potential to lead to years of potential life lost and lost productivity. Findings from a study estimated the average number of years of potential life lost per death for NMSC of 10.9 The prevalence of skin cancer cases is approximately 5 times higher than the prevalence of breast or prostate cancer and higher than the prevalence of all other cancers.6 Compared with other cancer types, NMSC

NMSC in the United States

In the United States, the total cost of NMSC care in the Medicare population is $426 million per year. Care settings for NMSC include hospitals, outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and physician offices. NMSC is mostly treated by dermatologists but also by general surgeons, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and radiation oncologists.13 The cost per episode of care in a physician’s office setting is approximately $492, which in this setting it

NMSC in Australia

As mentioned, Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, and NMSC is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. In Australia, from 2000 to 2001, the estimated cost of NMSC was $264 million, which was 9% of the total costs for all types of cancer treatment.16 New Zealand and Australia have the same incidence of NMSC, the estimated number of cases being treated in New Zealand annually being 80,000. The estimated cost is more than NZ $50 million per year.2 The

NMSC in Europe

NMSC is also an economic burden to the health system in Europe. In the United Kingdom, the estimated number of NMSC cases annually is 78,370. The cost per case for NMSC is £889. In 2006, the total cost of skin cancer in England was estimated to be more than £270 million; 45% of the total cost of skin cancer was attributable to NMSC. The estimated costs for the National Health Service were £112.4 million (42%). The remaining costs were attributed to the patient’s own costs, morbidity and

Worldwide NMSC

The number of NMSC cases increased dramatically between 1990 and 2010. Because of this, NMSC presents an increasing problem for health care services worldwide. The costs attributable to related health care procedures and lost productivity is now an economic burden and will likely become an increased one. Unfortunately, the exact incidence is unknown because of incomplete registration of cases in most countries. It is important that the incidence of NMSC be better determined so that prevention

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