Frequency of skin cancer and evaluation of risk factors: A hospital-based study from Turkey

Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer with a significantly increasing incidence. The purpose of the study was to uncover the one-year frequency of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and to determine the risk factors in the development of skin cancer.

The study included 7396 people from all age groups admitted to the dermatology clinic between October 2020 and 2021. The sociodemographic characteristics, sun protection habits, chronic diseases, and drug and vitamin use were evaluated. Lesions with clinical suspicion of skin cancer were excised.

The frequency of skin cancer was found to be 2.7%, basal cell cancer (BCC) 1.2%, squamous cell cancer (SCC) 1.1%, malignant melanoma (MM) was 0.4%. Daily black tea consumption was found to be a risk factor for three type of skin cancer, BCC (p = 0.021), SCC (p = 0.006), and MM (p = 0.002), respectively. Obesity was observed as a risk factor for BCC (p = 0.005) and MM (p = 0.008). We found that having a history of alcohol use were an independent risk factor for all skin cancer types and BMI <30 for SCC. Vitamin D and supplemental drugs intake were observed as protective factors for BCC (p = 0.035, p = 0.007, respectively). Daily coffee consumption was determined as a protective factor for SCC (p < 0.001) and MM (p = 0.049).

This study estimates the frequency of NMSC and melanoma. Also provides evidence to determine the risk factors and probably protective factors for the development of skin cancers.