Melanoma, Sunscreens and Dermatologists: Certain types of skin growths are Overdiagnosed?
Data published in JAMA Dermatology in April 2022 revealed that nearly two-thirds of dermatopathologists believe that skin cancer is overdiagnosed ( R ). According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer will affect 1 in 5 Americans in their lifetime, making it one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the U.S. According to the AAD, exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or tanning beds can increase the risk of developing certain types of skin cancer, especially when a person has five or more blistering sunburns at an early age, from 15 to 20 years. This can increase melanoma risk by 80% and non-melanoma by 68%. The annual cost of treating skin cancer was $8.1 billion for 4.9 million adults from 2007 to 2011. This was an increase in cost from 2002-2006, when the average annual treatment was $3.6 billion for 3.4 million adults treated each year. This represents a 44% increase in people with skin cancer and a 125% increase in the cost of treatment. ...