Men over the age of 60 are more than twice as likely to die from skin cancer than women of the same age, health chiefs say.
New figures show the number of Victorian men diagnosed with malignant melanoma had increased by more than 30 per cent for those aged between 60 and 80.
Associate Professor John Kelly, a dermatologist who heads the Victorian Melanoma Service, said aggressive nodular melanomas grew by as much as half a millimetre in depth every month and many men were being diagnosed too late.
“By the time we see many of these men, it is too late for surgery to prevent spread to other parts of the body,” Professor Kelly said.
“This is a wake-up call to older men – be vigilant, check your skin regularly, see your doctor and don’t assume everything will be alright.”
Experts say projected death rates among men in the 60-plus age group are expected to increase around the country by as much as 20 per cent in the next five years.
The figures contrast with those for women and younger men with the death rate increasing more slowly.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics for 2004 show that men between 65 and 69 years of age had almost three times the risk of dying from skin cancer than women per 100,000 head of population.
Prof Kelly said while the sun smart message was now common, in many cases the damage had been done several decades ago.
“We know considerable damage was done decades earlier when it was commonplace for men not to wear shirts or to apply sunscreen regularly,” he said.
“Unfortunately, older men still do not appear to be particularly vigilant about sun protection and are paying the ultimate price.”
Source: The Age
