A Study Reveals States With Highest Risk Of Melanoma Cancer In The United States

A study has shown that states with a high risk of melanoma cases are prominently spread across the United States on the east and west coasts in Hawaii and land located states. Melanoma is linked to ultraviolet radiation. Melanoma is one of the most fast-growing cancers across the US. This type of cancer has shot up by 2 percent from 2005 to 2015 among men and women. Experts have said that if this trend continues, cases of melanoma might go up to 151000 cases a year by 2030. There are more than 96000 melanoma cases in the United States at present, according to the reports. This study has been published in the International Journal of cancer.

Experts have compared the cases of melanoma from 2011 to 2015 with baseline probable cases to identify the number of UV linked melanoma cases per state. They have included the data from 1942 to 1954 from the rate of melanoma cases in Connecticut. It was the first state with a population-based cancer registry. The authors of the study have found that before the substantial rise in skin cancer cases in the last 5 decades, the rate of melanoma cases was quite low in Connecticut. It was less than 2.3 per 100000 people before 1955. The study has revealed that UV exposure in the US accounts for 91 percent of all melanoma cases from 2011 to 2015. At the same time, sun exposure accounts for 94 percent of melanoma cases among Non-Hispanic whites. The rates of skin cancer among non-Hispanic whites vary in different states. It ranges from 15.1 per 100000 in Alaska. It shoots up high as 65.1 per 100000 in Hawaii. The difference in the rate of melanoma cases in the states depends on the strength of the solar UV radiation, sun protection, regular or intermittent participation in the outdoor activity and indoor tanning.

Melanoma is considered as one of the deadliest types of all skin cancers. In 95 percent of cases in the US, it is linked to UV rays exposure. The author of the study has said that it can be prevented because the diagnosis of the disease is linked to excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning. Dr. Farhad Islami the lead author of the study has said that excessive indoor tanning is likely to be a causative factor among teen girls in late 1990. The strength of the UV rays is measured by the UV index. The US being close to the equator is prone to receive a high amount of harmful sun exposure. Southern states, California and Hawaii as well are at high risk of high sun exposure.