Increasing Incidences of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma by Region Around the World

Abstract

For decades, cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) has been steadily increasing among indoor workers in industrialized countries around the world [Godar et al 2009; Godar submitted]. Scientists believe strong, intermittent UVB (290-320 nm) exposures, i.e., sunburn episodes, initiate CMM [Elwood et al 1985], and some believe the UVA (321-400 nm) passing through glass windows in offices and cars promotes it [Godar et al 2009]. In support of those possibilities exists the paradox between indoor and outdoor worker’s UV exposures and their incidences of CMM. Although outdoor workers get three to ten times the annual UV doses that indoor workers get [Godar et al 2001; Godar 2005], they have similar or lower incidences of CMM [Gandini et al 2005; Kennedy et al 2003]. To understand what factor(s) may be responsible for the increasing incidence of CMM among indoor workers, we must know the temporal incidence by region around the world, especially by latitude [Godar, In press]. The causative agent of CMM is probably UVBinitiated sunburn episodes [Elwood et al 1985], but the promoting agent is unknown and may be UVA passing through office windows and cars [Godar et al 2009], and earlier (<1988) through UVB-absorbing sunscreens [Gorham et al 2007]. However, there could be a different promoting agent or an additional promoting agent; whatever the promoting agent(s) are, they must have entered and/or left our environment years before the first observed increase in Connecticut, USA in 1935 [EPA 1987; Rousch et al 1988]. We can analyze the CMM incidences of indoor working, industrialized populations over time and by latitudinal regions to get clues to the nature of the promoting agent(s). In this book chapter, we will explore the incidence of CMM all over the world during two decades, 1980 and 2000, by latitudinal regions of each fair-skinned continent: Europe, North America, and Australia (including New Zealand).