Non-melanoma skin cancer in Serbia 1999-2015 -the need for national prevention strategy and control

Abstract

Background/Aim. Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are ones of the most rapidly increasing cancers worldwide. Although NMSCs have a relatively low mortality rate, they are an important public health concern and the most costly cancers in many countries. The two main objectives in this study were: first, to analyze the trend of age-standardized incidence rate of NMSCs in Serbia and second, to assess the need for national prevention and control strategy based on analyzed trend. Methods. From the Serbian Cancer Registry, we extracted all cases of NMSCs registered in central Serbia from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2015. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to define trends and annual percentage change (APC). Results. NMSCs significantly increased for both genders with APC of +2.32% (p < 0.001). Significantly increasing trend of incidence rates was higher in women (APC, +2.63%; p < 0.0001) than in men (APC, +2.01%; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Our results show a continuously increasing incidence rate of NMCS in Serbia. Without the national preventive strategy, current sporadic activities are highly unlikely to result in reducing the growing trends.