Background In 1988 our department carried out a population-based epidemiolo
gical study of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) incidence, over a 6-month per
iod, in West Glamorgan, South Wales.
Objectives To reassess the incidence of NMSC in this defined population ove
r a similar 6-month period 10 years after the initial study.
Methods All cases of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma diagn
osed in West Glamorgan are recorded by the local skin cancer registry. All
cases for the relevant 6-month period were analysed.
Results Using these figures, we have identified a significant rise in the c
rude incidence of NMSC from 173.5 10 years ago to 265.4 per 100,000 populat
ion per annum. We also applied the world standard population for age to our
crude figures, demonstrating a combined male and female world population-c
orrected rate of 129.9 per 100,000 population.
Conclusions In our population the crude incidence of NMSC has risen signifi
cantly over 10 years. Additionally, the combined male and female world popu
lation-corrected rate appears to be the highest published standardized inci
dence of NMSC to date from any European country.