De epidemiologie van huidkanker: Zorg om de zorg

The rising incidence of patients with skin cancer causes an increasing workload for dermatologists. The question arises whether heath care for patients with skin cancer will remain sufficient in the future. This article discusses the incidence rates and risk factors of the most common types of skin cancer in the Netherlands: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Furthermore some suggestions are given to help doctors give their patients with skin cancer the optimal care. In 2006 35,000 people were diagnosed with skin cancer in the Netherlands. Of these patients 75% was diagnosed with a BCC, 13% with SCC, 10% with melanoma and 2% was diagnosed with a rare type of skin tumour. The number of skin tumours in the Netherlands is likely to be much higher, because the incidence of BCC is based on the first histological confirmed BCC of patients living in the southeastern part of the Netherlands, multiple BCC's are not counted. The population is more aware of the risk of developing skin cancer and ask more frequently for dermatological care. There are no new developments that could make dermatological care more efficient. Chemoprevention could possible play a part in treating specific patient groups like transplant patients. There needs to be an evaluation of the current work-load of dermatologists to determine whether health care of patient with skin cancer can stay sufficient in the future.