Socioeconomic and fashion trends ‘have increased melanoma rates’

New US research has shed light on the cultural and historical forces that have led to a rise in melanoma incidence over the last century.

Conducted at the New York University Langone Medical Center, the study was based on the premise that early diagnosis and improved reporting practices cannot fully account for the steady rise in cases of melanoma since the 1900s.

It was observed that in the early 20th century, clothing that almost completely covered the skin was more fashionable, due to negative perceptions of tanned skin. However, this has been reversed in subsequent years, as tans have become seen as desirable, while sunshine became widely accepted as a treatment for rickets and tuberculosis.

At the same time, concerns about the dangers of ultraviolet exposure were largely overlooked, leading to years-of-life lost to melanoma growing nearly as high as breast cancer in the US.

Dr David Polsky, professor of dermatologic oncology at NYU Langone, said: "Attitudes and behaviours shape exposures. More skin, more sun and more tan lead to more melanoma."

There are currently almost 13,000 new cases of the deadly skin cancer diagnosed each year in the UK. It remains relatively rare, but is becoming more common.