Global burden of skin cancers and trends from 1990 to 2021: An observational study based on secondary analysis of GBD 2021

Abstract

Skin cancer has emerged as a major global health challenge, with persistent variations in the burden across countries and regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the global, regional, and national burden of malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma from 1990 to 2021, and to analyze their temporal trends and associations with the Socio-demographic Index. We selected data on cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 204 countries and regions between 1990 and 2021, using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Temporal trends were quantified by calculating the incidence, mortality, and DALY rates as well as their percentage changes, while also analyzing the association between DALYs and Socio-demographic Index. Globally in 2021, 2.3 million cases of illness, 61.5 thousand deaths, and 1678.8 thousand DALYs were attributed to MM; squamous cell carcinoma caused 2.8 million prevalent cases, 56.9 thousand deaths, and 1210.9 thousand DALYs; and basal cell carcinoma accounted for 2.2 million epidemic cases and 2 thousand DALYs. Epidemic cases, deaths, DALYs counts, and age-standardized point rates are rising, but MM-induced deaths and DALYs rates have declined over the past 3 decades. The burden of skin cancer is higher in Australasia and High-income North America than in other regions. Under the Global Burden of Disease regional classifications, Australasia comprises Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding territories, while High-income North America encompasses the United States and Canada. At the national level, the burden is higher in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States; the burden is generally higher in men than in women, and is higher in older adults than in young people. Our study indicates that skin cancer remains an important public health issue worldwide. High-income regions such as Australasia and North America will continue to bear the greatest burden. Simultaneously, the burden on East Asia, Latin America, and Africa is rapidly increasing. This study also showed that the disease burden was greater in men and older adults. Therefore, countries and regions should attach great importance to the prevention and treatment of skin cancers, and develop and improve preventive measures.