Skin Cancer Early Prevention and Detection Week 2022

Israel Cancer Association Announces

2022 Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Awareness Week

Awareness Week will be held on June 20-26, during which Hundreds of skin cancer early detection stations will open free of charge in all health care clinics across Israel

This year, the ICA marks 30 years to its unique initiative of inviting the general public for a free early detection screening of skin cancer and melanoma – which can save lives.

According to an international research, the assumption is that in 2040 we will see an increase of about 50% in new melanoma cases worldwide (about 510,000 cases in 2040 versus 325,000 in 2020). Moreover, an increase of about 68% in mortality rates are expected - 96,000 mortality cases from melanoma in 2040, versus 57,000 in 2020 (further detail below).

According to Cancer Registry data, skin cancer mortality rates in Israel are showing a downward trend.

Moshe Bar-Haim, ICA Director General: “Thirty years ago, the Israel Cancer Association initiated a unique campaign, inviting the general public for a free early detection screening of skin cancer in collaboration with all HMO's. Early detection of skin cancer can save lives. The latest update by the Ministry of Health shows that 92.4% of those diagnosed with skin melanoma were at a very early stage, which improves the chances of recovery. This fact proves the efficiency of the ICA's efforts over the years in terms of information and the joint early detection campaigns with the HMO's."


Who is at a Risk for Skin Cancer? 

• People with fair, freckled skin, light eyes and blond or red hair
  
  
• People whose skin burns easily in the sun, or does not tan at all
  
  
• People with multiple moles (especially more than 20)
  
  
• People whose close relatives have multiple moles or a history of skin cancer
  
  
• People with a history of frequent severe sunburns, mainly in childhood
  
  
• People who take immunosuppressive drugs or suffer from illnesses that weaken the immune system (such as Parkinson patients or patients with transplants)
  
  
• People whose professions or hobbies require long-term exposure to the sun, such as skippers, farmers, surfers, swimmers and other maritime sports.
  
  
• In 2019, 1,719 new patients were diagnosed with skin melanoma in Israel.People who are alternately exposed to intense sun, such as on weekends or vacations.
  
  
• If you notice a new mole or changes in size, shade, height, borders and geometry of existing moles, it is important to consult a physician.In a well-lit room, examine the body front and back. You can use a hand mirror and aim it in front of a larger mirror. People who take medication that make their skin hypersensitive to UV rays.
  
  
• It is important to examine the entire skin surface, including the scalp, between the hair, in skin folds and between fingers and toes. To check the scalp and back, it is necessary to use another person. Use of tanning facilities
  
  
  

  Early Detection of Moles
  
  

  If you notice a new mole or changes in size, shade, height, borders and geometry of existing moles, it is important to consult a physician.
  
  
  

  • In a well-lit room, examine the body front and back. You can use a hand mirror and aim it in front of a larger mirror.
  • It is important to examine the entire skin surface, including the scalp, between the hair, in skin folds and between fingers and toes. To check the scalp and back, it is necessary to use another person.
  • Remember the number of moles in each area and perform the examination again every 3-6 months. Those who have many moles should take close-up pictures of the mole region for comparison. It is best if the pictures are in color and showing a ruler that measures their size. Also important to note is the date the picture is taken and the area of the body photographed. 
    
    
  • Beauty marks or moles may appear on the skin as a flat or protruding brown spot as early as childhood or adolescence.  
    
    

  
  The Latest Statistics on Skin Melanoma in Israel for 2022:
  
  

  • Most of the patients are Jews and others; the disease is rare among Arabs.
    
    
  • 92.4% of the patients were diagnosed with melanoma in-situ, 51.2% of which with localized tumor and 41.2% with localized invasive tumor.
    
    
  • The upward trend in localized skin melanoma incidence, an early stage skin cancer, over the years in men and women shows an increase in the early detection of the disease.
    
    
  • Mortality rates show a downward trend over the years. In 2019, 213 people died of invasive skin melanoma in Israel. The majority of mortality was seen in the older age group, and in men more than women.  

    
    Courtesy of the ICA Information Center:

    Global Burden of Cutaneous Melanoma in 2020 and Projections to 2040
    
    

    Despite many cases being preventable, cutaneous melanoma remains the most serious skin cancer worldwide. Understanding the scale and profile of the disease is vital to concentrate and reinforce global prevention efforts.  In this population-based epidemiological study held in Australia, France and Colombia, researchers sought to find out the projection for skin melanoma incidence and mortality for 2040, by using the GLOBOCAN 2020 database for global epidemiological assessment of new cases and deaths due to invasive melanoma, referring to 185 countries or regions, and divided into men and women and 18 age groups (0-4, 5-9, etc.)

    A total of worldwide total of 325,000 new melanoma cases (174,000 males, 151,000 females) and 57,000 deaths (32,000 males, 25,000 females) was estimated for 2020.

    The highest incidence rates among males (42 per 100,000 person-years) and females (31 per 100,000 person-years) observed in Australia/New Zealand, followed by Western Europe (19 per 100,000 person-years for males and females), North America (18 per 100,000 person-years for males, 14 per 100,000 person-years for females), and Northern Europe (17 per 100,000 person-years for males, 18 per 100,000 person-years for females). Nearly 80% of new melanoma cases and 87.7% of melanoma death cases in 2020 were among people 50 years ad up.

    Melanoma continued to be rare in most African and Asian countries, and more frequent among males than females in most world regions.

    According to demographic estimates, if 2020 rates continue, the burden from melanoma is estimated to increase to 510,000 new cases (a roughly 50% increase) in 2040 compared to 325,000 in 2020. Mortality rates are also expected to increase to 96,000 deaths (a 68% increase) by 2040, compared to 57,000 in 2020.

    This epidemiological assessment suggests that melanoma remains an important challenge to cancer control and public health globally, especially in fair-skinned populations of European descent. Despite many cases being preventable, cutaneous melanoma remains the most serious skin cancer worldwide. Understanding the scale and profile of the disease is vital to concentrate and reinforce global prevention efforts.

    The study was published in JAMA Dermatology, March 2022.

    Link to the full article
    
    
    For further details and to schedule interviews with skin cancer experts – Dr. Marina Landau and Dr. Felix Pavlotsky contact ICA Spokesperson, Idit Harel at: 050-2099416 
    idith@cancer.org.il