Melanoma cases increased with cultural shifts over last century

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health, researchers from the Ronald O. Perelman department of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, New York, cultural and historical shifts, such as fashion, over the last century have contributed to the increase in the number of cases of melanoma.

For the study, the researchers analyzed clothing styles, economic trends, medical paradigms, perceptions of tanned skin, social norms, and travel patterns during the 1900's. In regard to clothing and perceptions of tanned skin, the researchers estimated the amount of exposed skin between periods. For example, in the early 1900's, people wore clothing that almost completely concealed the body, and light skin was favored over tanned skin.

Then, people started using sunshine as a treatment for rickets and tuberculosis and swimwear started exposing more skin. In addition, perceptions of tanned skin changed to reflect a sign of increased quality of life and good health.

Only in Australia did the researchers observe a positive trend, most likely due to a public education campaign to change perceptions about tanning. The researchers suggest that more skin exposed, more sun exposure, and more tanning lead to an increased incidence of melanoma.