New research led by QIMR Berghofer has uncovered a decades-long increase in the rates of a common form of skin cancer across Australia and Europe, highlighting a growing but under-recognised public health challenge.
The study analysed more than 30 years of data from seven cancer registries across Australia and Europe and found rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have risen steadily across generations, with increases generally greater among women than men.
While most SCCs are treated successfully with surgery, a proportion will spread beyond the skin, leading to serious illness and, in some cases, death.
SCC is far more common than melanoma, but it remains comparatively under-researched because it is not routinely recorded in the same way melanoma is.
Lead researcher Dr Catherine Olsen said the findings, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, revealed a consistent trend across multiple countries.
"We were quite surprised to see that SCC incidence was rising faster in women across generations compared to men. That's a different pattern to what we see with melanoma," Dr Olsen said.
The study examined data from Tasmania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Scotland and the Netherlands, showing the increase is occurring internationally rather than being limited to Australia.
Researchers investigated several possible explanations for the trend, including improvements in cancer registration, but found these did not adequately explain the sex differences observed.
Instead, the findings point to SCC's strong relationship with cumulative lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
"There are changes that have happened over successive generations in terms of recreational exposure, also occupational exposure, and we are seeing an increased burden in women," Dr Olsen said. "It's important that the community understands that because it is a preventable cancer."
Senior author Professor David Whiteman said the research highlighted the need for greater attention on SCC, both in prevention and monitoring.
"This really is almost like a flag going up saying this is a problem that's not going away. It's becoming more common, and squamous cell cancers are eminently preventable. We believe that almost all of them are caused by exposure to the ultraviolet rays in the sun," Professor Whiteman said.
The researchers say the study also highlights the need for better national skin cancer data collection. Tasmania is currently the only Australian jurisdiction to routinely record keratinocyte cancers, both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and SCC, providing a unique resource for understanding long-term disease trends.
The researchers emphasise that it is never too late to reduce the risk of SCC, with simple measures such as wearing protective clothing, seeking shade and applying sunscreen to help limit harmful UV exposure.