What is known?
Tasmania is the only cancer registry that collects information about the most common types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell cancers. These are collectively known as keratinocyte carcinomas.
This article aims to examine cross-sectional associations and assess temporal trends in keratinocyte carcinoma incidence by area-level socioeconomic status and geographic remoteness in Tasmania, Australia.
What is new?
The incidence rate for basal cell carcinoma went up as the area’s level of socioeconomic advantage increased, but no such trend was seen for squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma was more common in rural areas compared to urban areas. However, for basal cell carcinoma, the incidence rate among males was slightly lower in rural areas than in urban areas, but was no different for females. The incidence rate of both basal and squamous cell carcinomas increased from 2001 until the mid-2010s in most areas.
What does this mean?
Although incidence rates of basal and squamous cell carcinoma have plateaued or started to decline across most socioeconomic and geographic remoteness areas in Tasmania over recent years, rates remain high. Efforts to reduce the burden of these common skin cancer types through prevention programs should continue, including targeted strategies for reaching high risk groups and tailoring age-appropriate information and resources according to a diverse range of literacy levels.
Contact: Peter Baade
Reference: Ragaini BS, Blizzard L, Baade P, Venn A. Keratinocyte carcinomas, area-level socioeconomic status and geographic remoteness in Tasmania: cross-sectional associations and temporal trends. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2023 Jun 20;47(4):100067. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100067. Online ahead of print.