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Fair Complexion and Risk of Malignant Melanoma of the Skin Based on Experience from the Danish Cancer Registry

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Skin Carcinogenesis in Man and in Experimental Models

Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 128))

Abstract

While malignant melanoma of the skin is a rare cancer in many populations, the incidence and mortality rates are increasing in most Western countries. The increase in incidence for skin melanoma is exceeding that of any other malignancy and is most pronounced among younger generations. It has been predicted that without preventive intervention this cancer will become one of the numerically most important tumours in the future (Roush et al. 1987). The current incidence and mortality rates may be easier to understand if they are expressed as a risk for the individual: Thus, currently in Denmark 1 in 100 persons will develop a skin melanoma during his or her lifetime, and each melanoma death “costs” 14–15 years of potential life lost before 65 years of age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Cancer Registry, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, Box 839, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    A. Østerlind

  2. Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke, DK-2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

    A. Østerlind

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  1. A. Østerlind
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division: Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis, Research Program 3: Risk Factors of Cancer and Cancer Prevention, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Erich Hecker

  2. Department of Dermatology, Mannheim Medical School, University of Heidelberg, Postfach 10 80 23, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer, W-6800, Mannheim, Germany

    E. G. Jung (Director) (Director)

  3. Division: Biochemistry of Tissue Specific Regulation, Research Program 2: Tumor Cell Regulation, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    F. Marks

  4. Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Voss-Str. 2, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    W. Tilgen

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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

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Østerlind, A. (1993). Fair Complexion and Risk of Malignant Melanoma of the Skin Based on Experience from the Danish Cancer Registry. In: Hecker, E., Jung, E.G., Marks, F., Tilgen, W. (eds) Skin Carcinogenesis in Man and in Experimental Models. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 128. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84881-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84881-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-84883-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-84881-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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