40-Year Trends in Skin Cancer in British Columbia, Canada, 1973 to 2003

Background: Skin cancer is common in North America. Incidence rate trends are potentially important in the assessment of the effects of measures to increase sun awareness in the population as well as measures to reduce sun damage. Objective: To determine the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in a geographically defined Canadian population over a 40-year period. Methods: Data were obtained from the BC Cancer Registry for the calendar years 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003. Results: Age-standardized incidence rates increased significantly from 1973 to 2003 for BCC, SCC, and CMM. Limitations: The ethnic makeup of British Columbia has changed over time, and a novel method of accounting for the effect of this on skin cancer rates is presented. Conclusion: The incidence rate for skin cancers continued to rise in British Columbia, but there appears to have been a decline in the incidence of CMM and BCC in the youngest cohorts.