The sociological basis of the skin cancer epidemic

Given the precipitous rise in its incidence in recent decades, skin cancer has been recognized as a growing epidemic. We explore the sociological underpinnings of this epidemic, including: (1) aging of the demographic; (2) human ecologic factors (residing in areas with high ambient ultraviolet level...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of dermatology 2023-02, Vol.62 (2), p.169-176
Main Authors: Asadi, Leila K., Khalili, Ahmad, Wang, Steven Q.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Cancer
Epidemics
Humans
Occupational exposure
Ozone depletion
Ozone layer
Ozonosphere
Sex Factors
Skin cancer
Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy
Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology
Skin Neoplasms - etiology
Socioeconomics
Sun screens
Sunbathing
Sunscreening Agents - therapeutic use
Tanning
Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects
Urbanization
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Summary:Given the precipitous rise in its incidence in recent decades, skin cancer has been recognized as a growing epidemic. We explore the sociological underpinnings of this epidemic, including: (1) aging of the demographic; (2) human ecologic factors (residing in areas with high ambient ultraviolet levels and a depleted ozone layer); (3) large‐scale European migration to more equatorial latitudes; (4) social structures that for centuries minimized miscegenation and maximized segregation; (5) gender‐based differences in sunbathing, tanning, sunscreen use, and clothing choice; (6) occupational ultraviolet exposure; (7) the complex interplay of socioeconomic status, race, and urbanization on skin cancer incidence and mortality; (8) the effects of war on skin cancer incidence; (9) cultural shifts in clothing, travel, outdoor sports, recreation, and attitudes towards being tan; and (10) the indirect effects of religion. We show that without these sociological factors, the most common type of cancer would not be nearly as common.
ISSN:0011-9059
1365-4632
DOI:10.1111/ijd.15987