Epidemiology of skin cancer in Markazi Province, Iran

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the world with high morbidity and relatively low mortality. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of cancer and its incidence is increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of skin cancer in the years 1386 to 1390 is in the Markazi Province, Iran. In this study the data of Markazi Province Cancer Registry were used and incidence rate was calculated per 100,000 person. Age standardized incidence rates were calculated via direct standardization method using world standard population. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS, Excel, and WinPepi softwares. In Markazi Province, 958 patients with skin cancer were recorded during 1386-90. The age-standardized incidence rates in these years were 21.54, 12.06, 13.79, 18.29 and 15.79 per 100,000 people respectively. There was no significant change in the trend of skin cancer incidence rates. Skin cancer was higher in men than women, and most cases occur in the elderly. Development of screening programs is recommended to detect skin cancer in its early stages in older men, especially in those who have been exposed to the sun for long times.