Epidemiological situation of skin cancer and melanomia in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2012-2022

Abstract

Relevance: Skin cancer, including melanoma, is a major health problem and one of the most common cancers in the world.

The study aimed to obtain a complete epidemiological picture of skin cancer and melanoma in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 11 years, including analysis of data for 2022, considering various parameters such as age, sex, ethnicity, region, and tumor type.

Methods: The study used data from patients registered in the national cancer registry of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2022, diagnosed with skin carcinoma and skin melanoma (ICD-10 code: C44-C43). The number of skin carcinomas and melanoma cases is presented as absolute and crude rates per 100,000 population. Absolute standardized morbidity and mortality rates were calculated using the world standard (World).

Results: At the end of 2022, 19,714 and 2,689 patients were diagnosed with “Skin Cancer” or  “Skin Melanoma” in the Republic of Kazakhstan, respectively. From 2012 to 2022, the incidence of skin cancer increased by 24% and melanoma by 15%. In 2022, the incidence of skin cancer and melanoma was higher among women by 24% and 26%, respectively. Mortality from skin cancer is in 23^rd place, from melanoma in 21^st place. Mortality rates from skin cancer and melanoma were 0.5 and 0.7 per 100 thousand population, respectively. The peak incidence of skin cancer in 2022 was observed in the age group 65-74 years (36%), and mortality in the age groups 65-74 and 75-84 years (17% each). The peak incidence of skin melanoma in 2022 was observed in the age groups 55-64 years and 65-74 years (24% and 25%), and mortality in the groups 45-54 years and 35-44 years (14% and 10%).

Conclusion: There has been a steady increase in the incidence of skin cancer and melanoma, which indicates the seriousness of this problem in the country and underlines the need for further measures to prevent, diagnose and treat skin cancer and melanoma in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It should be remembered that many cases of skin cancer can be prevented with simple precautions.