Background
Nonmelanoma skin cancer, almost all of which are keratinocyte cancers (KCs, squamous and basal carcinomas), is Australia’s most frequent and costly cancer. Although the vast majority of KCs are localised and easily treated, about half as many people die from NMSC as from melanoma. Despite these sobering statistics, these cancers are not consistently included in cancer registries and we have little information about subgroups of the population that are at risk of developing and dying from NMSC. While most NMSCs are caused by exposing the skin to the sun, ultraviolet (UV) radiation also has benefits, most notably production of vitamin D. Despite Australia being the skin cancer capital of the world, approximately 20% of the population is vitamin D deficient overall, and over 40% of people in southern states are deficient in winter. Given the role of vitamin D in a wide range of health outcomes, it is vital to develop policy that avoids vitamin D deficiency in the majority of the population. Understanding factors influencing NMSC incidence and mortality and vitamin D in Australia is needed to inform decisions about who should undergo regular screening of their skin, and also to enable evidence-based recommendations about sun exposure, sun protection, and balancing the harms with the benefits of sun exposure.
Aim
We plan to use national linked data to explore the epidemiology of skin cancer and vitamin D deficiency in Australia.
Approach
This study will involve analysis or large existing linked datasets.