Bavarian males exhibit higher rates of skin cancer post retirement compared to females.
Article:
More men in Bavaria over the age of 65 are diagnosed with white skin cancer compared to women, according to a recent report from health insurance company Barmer. In contrast, women are more frequently affected by the more aggressive black skin cancer.
The findings, presented to the German Press Agency, show a significant difference in the incidence of both types of skin cancer between men and women in the region. While there has been a decrease in the gender disparity regarding black skin cancer since 2005, the incidence among men in the older age bracket remains higher for white skin cancer.
The report highlights that the increased white skin cancer cases in men can be attributed to a variety of factors, including chronic UV exposure from outdoor activities, fewer protective behaviors, and unique susceptibilities in male skin. On the other hand, women are found to be more susceptible to black skin cancer due to intermittent intense sun exposure, hormonal influences, and cultural or behavioral patterns that put them at a higher risk.
Alfred Kindshofer, Barmer's regional manager, emphasizes the importance of prevention through protective measures such as high-factor sunscreen, long-sleeved clothing, sun hats, and avoiding direct sunlight. The company also recommends regular skin checks for early detection.
Regular self-examinations, in addition to professional check-ups with a dermatologist, are encouraged by experts due to the curable nature of common skin cancers like white and black skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (basalioma) and squamous cell carcinoma, the most prevalent types of white skin cancer, are generally treatable, as are melanomas with early detection.
Featured photo: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/dpa-tmn
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[1] White et al., "Sex and Age Differences in the Incidence of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Analysis of a Population-Based Series of 4,579 Cases," British Journal of Dermatology, vol. 134, no. 4, pp. 723-732, 1996.
[2] Ladin et al., "Sex Differences in Skin Cancer Incidence in the United States: A Population-Based Study," Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 750-757, 2009.
- The report from Barmer, a health insurance company in Bavaria, reveals that more older men are diagnosed with white skin cancer compared to women, a type of cancer linked to chronic UV exposure from outdoor activities and unique susceptibilities in male skin.
- While the incidence of black skin cancer has decreased in women since 2005, the report shows that it still occurs more frequently in women due to factors such as intermittent intense sun exposure, hormonal influences, and cultural or behavioral patterns that put them at a higher risk.
- Experts advise regular self-examinations and professional check-ups with a dermatologist for early detection of common skin cancers, including white and black skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanomas, which are generally treatable with early detection.
