They have found a table and are enjoying the warm spring sun on the square in Trondheim. – I use sunscreen factor 50 on my face every day, and follow the advice of my girlfriend, says Eirik (22). Today, the cancer figures for 2022 were published. The figures show a sharp increase in the number of people diagnosed with mole cancer last year. There has been an increase of almost 20 per cent, from 2443 to 2911 people. There is an increase in mole cancer in all age groups, but most in the elderly. – Many sunbathed intensely in the 1970s and 80s. The awareness of what damage such as sunburn and too much sun can cause really came a few decades later, says Giske Ursin. She is director of the Cancer Registry. Ursin believes there is greater awareness of good sun habits among today’s younger generations. When moles change Mole cancer is the most serious form of skin cancer. Symptoms are moles or new spots on the body that change shape, colour, size, have an uneven shape, color or that itch or bleed. Excessive sunbathing over several years is what mainly increases the risk. The cancer figures for 2022 There is still an increase in breast cancer. In 2022, 4,247 people were diagnosed with breast cancer. This is the highest breast cancer figure we have had in Norway. There is a decrease in lung cancer from 2021. There are still many in the 70-80 age group who have lung cancer and that affects the numbers. The Norwegian Cancer Registry believes that measures must be introduced for those over 60. They and the elderly have a higher risk of lung cancer. The figures show that there is also a slight decrease in bowel cancer cases. Enormous increase among the elderly It is especially the elderly who have had an increase in cases of mole cancer. People who are seventy years old and older stand out. – There has been an enormous increase in recent years, says Ursin. The director explains this by saying that the elders have had a whole life where they have been exposed to the sun and have been sunburnt. Over time, this increases the risk of developing the cancer. She is also open to the possibility that some of the increase could be a pandemic effect. Fewer people went to the doctor during the pandemic and thus fewer people were probably diagnosed with cancer. This may have led to the numbers now increasing, because more people have gone to the doctor to check themselves, says Ursin. Giske Ursin is director of the Cancer Registry. She says there has been an enormous increase in mole cancer among the elderly. Many survive Fortunately, the chance of survival is good. Nine out of ten who are diagnosed with mole cancer survive for five years or more. This depends on how early the cancer is detected. Tom Anders Stenbro, district manager of the Cancer Association in Midt-Norway, believes the authorities must make arrangements to have restrictive guidelines for the use of solariums. – We know that solariums are part of the cause of the increase in mole cancer. There should be as little advertising and marketing as possible. He hopes the young people take the advice they give to heart. Hanne Vorren and Elisabeth Pedersen are both 21 years old and enjoying the sun on the square in Trondheim. Photo: Marthe Svendsen Young people enjoying the sun in central Trondheim believe there is a difference in how the generations have protected themselves from the sun. – We are very much reminded that you should take care of your skin, say the gang. They are happy to be in the sun, but follow the advice on using sunscreen to protect the skin and reduce the risk of mole cancer.
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Large increase in mole cancer, figures from the Cancer Register – news Trøndelag show
