Study Finds Decrease in Skin Cancer Rates Under 50

A recent study indicates a decline in skin cancer rates among individuals under 50 in Sweden, marking it as the first European country to observe this trend. Lead author Hildur Helgadottir from the Karolinska Institute noted a significant break in the trend around 2015, with incidence rates decreasing by an average of five percent per year for younger adults, while rates for those over 50 continue to rise. Factors contributing to this decline include increased awareness of sun protection, a 2018 ban on sunbed use for under-18s, and changes in lifestyle, such as more time spent indoors. Mortality rates from skin cancer have also decreased among those under 60, attributed to both lower incidence and advancements in treatment, while older populations remain at higher risk due to persistent high incidence rates. Helgadottir emphasizes the need for continued vigilance in sun protection to maintain these positive trends.