Number of the Month

208,700 people were diagnosed with light skin cancer in Germany in 2020

In 2020, 96,400 women and 112,300 men in Germany were diagnosed with a non-melanotic form of skin cancer. Light or white skin cancer is the term for skin tumors that are distinct from black skin cancer (melanoma). Around three quarters of non-melanotic cancers are basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas only form metastases in exceptional cases. The course is rarely life-threatening. Around a quarter of malignant, non-melanotic tumors of the skin are squamous cell carcinomas. Light skin cancer can usually be treated well if it is detected early.

The most important risk factor for light skin cancer is UV radiation. It makes no difference whether this comes from the sun, a solarium or other artificial UV sources. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma increases with lifelong exposure to UV radiation. In the case of basal cell carcinoma, the risk is increased more by repeated intensive UV exposure.