Non-melanoma skin cancer in Australia: The 2002 national survey and trends since 1985

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the incidence of treated non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Australia in 2002 and investigate trends since 1985 by histological type, sex, age group, latitude and skin type. Design: Face-to-face survey between 1 January and 31 December 2002 using stratified sampling of households to identify people treated for skin cancer in the previous 12 months. Self-reported diagnoses were confirmed with treatment providers. Data from similar surveys conducted in 1985, 1990 and 1995 were used to assess trends. Setting: Whole of Australia (population 19.6 million). Participants: Of 57 215 people interviewed, 4098 said they had been treated for skin cancer in the past year and 3198 g..