§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department holds on the United Kingdom morbidity and mortality rates for skin cancer in each year since 1979; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is shown in the table.
There has been a rise in the number of cases of skin cancer (non-melanotic cancer and the rarer malignant melanoma) in recent years. On the latest available information there are about 28,000 cases of skin cancer a year and about 1,500 deaths. The main risk factor which is believed to account for the increase in incidence is the increased extent to which people expose themselves to ultraviolet radiation (UV), primarily sunlight.
80W
Mortality and incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for malignant melanoma of skin (1CD 172), and other malignant neoplasm of skin (ICD 173), for Great Britain 1979–1991. Mortality Rate Incidence Rate 172 173 172 173 1979 1.63 0.78 3.81 40.32 1980 1.65 0.74 4.04 41.75 1981 1.74 0.77 4.20 43.65 1982 1.90 0.76 4.36 42.91 1983 1.72 0.82 4.71 44.80 1984 2.00 0.88 4.70 45.78 1985 1.98 0.93 5.60 48.08 1986 2.08 0.82 5.88 54.34 1987 2.05 0.88 2— —
Mortality Rate Incidence Rate 173 172 172 173 1988 2.14 0.85 — — 1989 2.17 0.88 — — 1990 2.31 0.86 — — 11991 2.30 0.92 — — 1 1991 population figures are not available and consequently 1990 population figures have been used to calculate the 1991 mortality rate. 2 Registration data for the calculation of incidence rates 1987–1991 are not available. Source OPCS DH2 Mortality Statistics, MB I Cancer Registrations.
Scottish Cancer Registration Scheme,
Information and Statistics Division,
Common Services Agency.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate Her Majesty's Government has made of projected increases in skin cancer resulting from a 1 per cent. decline in the total column ozone; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleExposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is an important factor influencing the number of cases of skin cancer which develop, and levels of UV at ground level are influenced by changes of levels of ozone in the stratosphere. However, stratopheric ozone levels are just one of the factors influencing the amount of UV reaching the ground. Seasonal variations in solar UV levels and short term variations due to cloud cover and local weather conditions are far in excess of any variations anticipated as a result of ozone depletion. The position is further complicated by variability in people's behaviour in relation to exposure to sunlight. Estimates of increases in skin cancer based solely on an estimate of ozone depletion would be misleading.