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Most common cancer in Germany: skin cancer is often fatal
According to health experts, skin cancer is the most common cancer in Germany. With early diagnosis, there is basically a good chance of healing. But when the disease is recognized late, it is often fatal – and despite modern therapies, for which the discovery has already received the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
The number of skin cancers is increasing
More and more people in the world are suffering from skin cancer. In Germany too, the number of patients has increased significantly in recent years. Today, skin cancer is the most common cancer in Germany, with around 270,000 new cases a year. As Techniker Krankenkbade (TK) puts it in a communication, one in seven diseases is a dangerous malignant melanoma, a black skin cancer. According to the fund, between 2009 and 2015, skin cancer increased by more than 50% and black skin cancer by more than 30%. Recognized too late, the latter is often fatal.
Germans are early detection muffels
"If skin cancer is recognized at an early stage, there is basically a very high chance of cure for all species," says the German Cancer Society on its website.
But many Germans do not take cancer screening seriously enough.
Here's how you recognize skin cancer
Doctors at the German Cancer Society recommend looking closely at one's own body without getting dressed in the mirror – preferably in the light of day. Special attention should be given to existing liver spots and new skin changes. The partner can help. Even hard to see areas such as the back and the areas between the toes and the soles of the feet should be examined.
In addition to screening, self-examination is the best method of early detection. But skin cancer can be very different. Therefore, several factors must be taken into account in the evaluation. The doctors have therefore developed the ABCDE guidance rule, which should be used during a self-examination. If any of the following applies, the doctor should examine the site. Precautions must be taken:
AT: A means asymmetry. Usually, the skin spots are uniformly round, oval or oblong. Does the patch have an unusual or asymmetrical shape or has it changed the shape of an existing patch?
B: B is the limitation. Liver spots are usually clearly delineated from the rest of the skin. Kontor is the dark spots of the skin washed, frayed, shredded, irregular or rough?
C: C means color (English for color). Usually, the liver and the pigment have the same color. Does the color mix in a place with pink, gray, or black dots, or are there crispy pads in the same place?
re: The D represents the diameter. Do epochs have a hemispherical shape or are they wider than five millimeters at the widest point?
e: The E stands for evolution. This refers to the change of a spot in time. Has the brand changed in the last three months?
As stated in the TK Communication, only one in five legally insured persons use skin cancer screening every year. The University of Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the University of Bremen, together with TK, have summarized these facts and other information about skin cancer in their latest issue of the Report on the 2019 skin cancer, recently introduced.
UV radiation is the most important risk factor
"The numbers show that skin cancer is still a serious illness that can be fatal," said Dr. Jens Baas, chairman of Techniker Krankenkbade's board of directors.
"With the report on skin cancer, we present a comprehensive data badysis, wish to raise awareness about the issue and explain how to consciously manage the sun, especially in the summer," said the expert.
UV rays are considered to be the most important risk factor for skin cancer.
"Most of the time, the cause of the disease was decades ago.Skin cancer needs 20 to 30 years to develop," says Professor Matthias Augustin, dermatologist at UKE and publisher of the report.
As a result, the risk of developing skin cancer increases dramatically with age. As can be seen from the figures of the insured, the 75 to 79 age group is particularly affected. Of these, an average of 843 out of 100,000 insured persons develop black skin cancer each year.
In comparison, among the 20 to 24 year olds, only 41 out of 100,000 are insured. There are also differences between the bades: up to the age of 60, more women develop malignant melanoma than men. After that, the image is reversed.
The knee sunshine belt is striking: "In the group of women aged 45 to 54, there is a clear increase in the number of diagnoses of black skin cancer," said Augustin.
"The causes could be increased use of tanning beds and frequent sunbathing in previous years," says the expert.
Other experts have recently concluded that the tanning trend in the 70's and 80's was taking on more and more revenge.
Only about one in five goes to early detection
The earlier the skin cancer is detected, the more the disease can be treated gently. However, between 2015 and 2017, only one in five legally insured per year has been diagnosed early by a dermatologist or his family doctor.
"Precisely because early detection is so important, we recommend that you regularly do free skin cancer screening," says Dr. med. Baas.
"The insured are entitled to a survey every two years.This takes little time and is not painful.The TK offers its insured this performance from 20 years," said the head of the TK.
Skin cancer screening fees are usually covered by compulsory health insurance only from 35 years of age.
The artificial intelligence supports the doctor
Several years ago, researchers reported that artificial intelligence (AI) could detect skin cancer with a reliability comparable to that of doctors.
In the future, modern technology will help doctors diagnose malignant lesions with even greater reliability.
The computer systems evaluate the photographic results of suspect skin areas in real time and help the doctor to establish the diagnosis.
"In just a few years, we are hoping for high quality applications that can also be used by patients for early detection of skin cancer," said Dr. Baas.
"In the near future, new technologies will help doctors make their diagnoses safer and diagnose skin cancer faster, and the quality of care is improved, as in areas where dermatologists are lacking."
Nobel medicine helps with treatment
Traditional knowledge has made remarkable progress in the treatment of black skin cancer in recent years.
Drug treatment is increasingly based on modern immunotherapeutic techniques that help the body fight the tumors itself.
Immunotherapy being significantly more effective and tolerable than chemotherapy, it is nowadays impossible to forget a daily treatment.
"New data from approval studies have shown that more than 30% of patients with metastatic melanoma survive more than five years," says Professor Gerd Glaeske, expert in drugs at the university. Bremen, who also participated in the report.
"It's a lot longer than some chemotherapy treatments," says the expert.
"For the discovery of this new principle of action, the so-called checkpoint inhibitor, the Nobel Prize in medicine was rightly awarded in 2018," said Glaeske.
When evaluating data on TK patients, the results are similar: after four years, 35% of patients who received such treatment still live.
"With all the legitimate enjoyment of new drugs, new treatments have not yet shown that they were as effective as promised in the studies," says Dr. Baas.
"Early detection and sun protection remain important to minimize the risk of skin cancer."
The cause of skin cancer is usually behavioral
Skin cancer, despite all hereditary predispositions, is primarily a behavioral disorder.
In recent years, in particular, changing leisure behavior as a trigger for skin cancer has become a priority.
The increase in the number of trips to sunny areas and the increase in outdoor activity are considered to be one of the reasons that may explain the high number of skin cancer diagnoses black.
Avoiding excessive UV radiation and effective protection against clothing and sunscreens can significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
In addition, he is often warned against pretanning – and sunburn.
"Every sunburn is one too many.Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays causes lasting damage to the skin and we need to be more aware of it," said Professor Glaeske.
The expert therefore recommends uniform sun protection, especially for children. "The report provides important indications for dealing with the sun, because today's sunburn is the skin cancer of tomorrow," says Glaeske.
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