Over 15,000 Dutch diagnosed with skin cancer last year
Skin cancer is an increasingly common diagnosis in the Netherlands. Last year a total of 15,836 Dutch were diagnosed with skin cancer, compared to 14,738 in 2015, according to figures from the comprehensive cancer center of the Netherlands IKNL. Skin cancer is the most prevalant type of cancer in the Netherlands, NU.nl reports.
Over the past 26 years, the number of skin cancer cases in the Nethelands increased by 308 percent. In 1990 only 3,882 Dutch were diagnosed with this form of cancer. The number of skin cancer cases doubled since 2005.
Cancer association KWF Kankerbestrijding attributes the increase party to excessive exposure to UV radiation. "Always make sure that you don't burn. KWF works for better sun protection, especially in children. They are extra vulnerable. Severe burns during childhood doubles the risk of melanoma later in life", a spokesperson said to NU.nl.
Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in the Netherlands, with 15,247 new patients last year. In 2015 colon cancer was the most prevalent.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with 11,064 men diagnosed last year, compared to 10,469 in 2015. Among women breast cancer is still in first place, with 14,511 patients last year.
A total of over 108,400 Dutch were given a cancer diagnosis last year. The number of cases increased in almost all forms of cancer. According to IKNL, that could be because registration has improved and because certain types of cancer can now more quickly be detected.
