Some 2,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Switzerland every year, making the country the most affected by this cancer in Europe.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch
The Federal Statistics Office said on Monday diagnosis rates of melanoma had sharply increased over the past two decades and skin cancer was now fourth on the list of cancers most affecting the Swiss.
According to the Statistics Office, diagnosis occurs more frequently among people who have regular checkups and when the melanoma is not yet at an advanced stage.
A study of cases between 2004 and 2008 found that skin cancer rates had increased more in men (up 80 per cent) than in women (up 50 per cent) over the previous 20-year period. In the four years between 2004-08, 21 cases per 100,000 women were recorded compared with 23.4 cases for men.
Seven per cent of skin melanoma among women and ten per cent among men were diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The study also found that men are less likely to use sun protection than women (79 per cent versus 89 per cent respectively). They are also less likely than women to have their skin checked regularly for melanoma (33 per cent versus 37 per cent).
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Novartis awaits cancer drug ruling in India
This content was published on
Advocacy groups have been campaigning against Novartis on the Indian Glivec/Gleevec issue since 2007, accusing the company of “evergreening”, or extending patent terms by making minor changes in existing medicines. The campaigners – including Berne Declaration, Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders/MSF – see this as a test case in which a Novartis victory would weaken…
This content was published on
Roche said in a statement that authorisation by the European Health Authorities was the first of its kind. Professor Stan Kaye of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London said Xeloda represented a significant contribution to the treatment of patients. “As Xeloda is given as tablets, it reduces the number of times patients need to attend…
This content was published on
The Theodora Foundation was set up in Switzerland seven years ago to ensure children all over the world get a regular dose of laughter to speed their way to recovery. Now there are some 50 clown doctors of 15 different nationalities working all around the globe, from South Africa to Belarus to Hong Kong. André…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.