Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, including in Iran. Awareness of trend and distribution of skin cancers provide some dimensions for policy makers to handle cancer control plans for decreasing the cancer burden. The main goal of our study was to determine the trend and distribution of skin cancer based on demographic factors and present cancer incidence rate and 4-year trends in Isfahan province. This study was done using existing data, extracted from the National Cancer Registry System and the Disease Management Center of Iranian Ministry of Health between 2003 and 2008. Age Standardized incidence rates (ASIR) were calculated using the world standard population. The crude incidence rate (CIR) were also computed During 4 years in Isfahan province, a total of 3298 new cases of skin cancers have been registered. Of these, 34.94 (1152 cases) occurred in females and 65.06 (2146 cases) in males, sex ratio (male to female) for this study is 1.86. This cancer is more prevalent in men than women. The data shows that skin cancer incidence gradually increased with age for both sex. The rate of skin cancer is rapidly increasing in Isfahan province. Comprehensive cancer control and prevention plan for Isfahan seems to be necessary.