Increased burden of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in young women

BACKGROUND: A higher and increasing incidence of skin cancer has been noted in younger women as compared with men. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative gender burden of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma in various age groups, particularly in young adult women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16,994 biopsy-proven skin cancers in 9,376 patients in a single private dermatologic surgery practice was included in this study. RESULTS: Men constituted the majority (63.7%, p < .0001) of patients, accounting for 68.7% of squamous cell carcinomas (p < .0001), 60.8% of basal cell carcinomas (p < .0001), and 57.5% of malignant melanomas (p <.0001). However, a statistically significant majority of melanomas (67.3%, p < .0001) and basal cell carcinomas (60.4%, p < .0001) were seen in women in patients aged 10 to 49 years. There was also a statistically significant increase in the female representation in patients aged 10 to 49 years as compared with those aged 50 to 99 years with respect to squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Women comprise a statistically significant majority of patients with melanoma and basal cell carcinoma in the younger (10-49 years) age groups. This raises a concern regarding an increased future incidence of skin cancer in this population group and a demographic shift to increased female representation among patients with skin cancer.