Skin cancer is currently the fastest growing cancer in the Netherlands

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Netherlands. It is also the fastest-rising form of cancer, and the Netherlands comprehensive cancer organization (IKNL) is expecting the number of skin cancer patients to increase for the time being.

Almost 75,000 people are told they have skin cancer annually, according to the organization. This means that an average hospital makes three of these diagnoses per day. The increase is taxing for the care sector, said IKNL. Many people often have to return to the hospital for checkups because the cancer can return.

In two out of three skin cancer patients, it is a basal cell carcinoma. This is a malignant spot on the skin, but it grows slowly and rarely spreads. The vast majority of patients recover from it, but they sometimes need multiple treatments.

Squamous cell carcinoma, another form of skin cancer, also occurs relatively often. This type of skin cancer is also easy to treat, and the prospects for a patient's recovery are good.

Over 8,000 people are diagnosed with Melanoma every year. This form of skin cancer can be very dangerous due to metastasis.