Incidence of cutaneous cancer in Minnesota

Abstract

In a survey conducted in Minnesota, a special effort was made to record cases of cutaneous cancer encountered in 1963 by dermatologists, radiotherapists, and pathologists. The latter group probably includes almost all of the patients treated by surgeons in hospitals and the great majority of those treated by surgeons in their offices. In an earlier sample study, we found this to be true of general practitioners. A total of 2,358 Minnesotans was identified as having cutaneous cancer, presenting first during 1963. This exceeded the most plausible estimates based on previously available data. The annual incidence rates recorded were 71.5 per 100,000 men and 47.2 per 100,000 women. These rates place cutaneous cancer clearly in front among types of cancer in Minnesota, although it is a northern state whose population has relatively low actinic exposure.