Non-melanotic skin cancer and solar keratoses in Victoria.

The light-exposed areas of the head and neck, forearms, and dorsum of each hand were examined in 2113 adults during a one-week study. The study was conducted in the isolated Victorian rural city of Maryborough which is situated in the northern part of the Central Highlands district. Of 2113 subjects, 49 (2.32%) had at least one skin cancer and 1202 (56.9%) had at least one solar keratosis. Histological confirmation of all skin cancers and doubtful solar keratoses was obtained. Age, skin type, and sunlight exposure were the major factors influencing the prevalence of solar keratoses and skin cancers.