Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in West Glamorgan, South Wales.

A population-based epidemiological study of non-melanoma skin cancer incidence was carried out over 6 months in an area of South Wales. A much higher incidence than expected of nonmelanoma skin cancer was found with crude annual rates per 100,000 population of 137.7 for basal cell carcinomas and 35.8 for squamous cell carcinomas, giving a combined rate of 173.5. When age was adjusted to the standardized world population the corresponding rates were 83.1, 19.0 and 102.1. Males were affected more than females and the ratio of basal cell carcinomas to squamous cell carcinomas was 4:1. These figures are at least 60% higher than previous estimates of the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in the U.K. There may be a higher incidence in this area because of the indigenous Celtic population, but there is almost certainly a substantial under-recording of non-melanoma skin cancers throughout the U.K.