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The epidemiology of skin cancer by UV index: cross-sectional analysis from the 2019 behavioral risk factor surveillance survey

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Abstract

The extent to which the Ultraviolet (UV) index is associated with the prevalence of melanoma and keratinocyte cancer in the United States is not clear. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone interview survey to investigate the epidemiology of skin cancer in the US including age, household income, education, and marital and employment status. Of non-Hispanic white respondents, 9.6% (N = 29,925) reported a being told of a skin cancer diagnosis. The prevalence of skin cancer was significantly higher in high UV (> / = 8) states (11.8%, N = 36,575) than in medium UV (6–7) (9.0%, N = 27,812) and lower UV (< / = 5) (7.8%, N = 24,083) states (p < .0001). Respondents from a medium UV or high UV state had higher odds (1.21 [1.15–2.27], 1.55[1.47–1.63], respectively) of reporting a skin cancer diagnosis than those from a low UV state. The association of UV index with lifetime skin cancer prevalence reinforces the importance of educating patients on preventive practices such as avoidance of tanning beds and usage of UV protection with clothing and sunscreen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior St, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Trisha Kaundinya

  2. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Trisha Kaundinya & Roopal V. Kundu

  3. Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Joe Feinglass

Authors
  1. Trisha Kaundinya
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  2. Roopal V. Kundu
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  3. Joe Feinglass
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Contributions

TK, JF, and RK had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: TK, JF. Acquisition of Data: TK, JF. Analysis and interpretation of data: TK, JF. Drafting of the manuscript: TK, RK, JF. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: TK, RK, JF.

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Correspondence to Trisha Kaundinya.

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Kaundinya, T., Kundu, R.V. & Feinglass, J. The epidemiology of skin cancer by UV index: cross-sectional analysis from the 2019 behavioral risk factor surveillance survey. Arch Dermatol Res 315, 613–615 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-021-02313-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-021-02313-z

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