Skin cancer rates jump 24 percent in 2006

Melanoma skin cancer diagnoses in Israel rose 24% in 2006, according to figures released by the Israel Cancer Association and the Health Ministry Wednesday.

There were 1,200 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in 2006, compared to about 970 cases in previous years.

The Cancer Association and the ministry said the increase in melanoma cases is due to increased public awareness to this form of cancer. The public is having more examinations and being tested earlier for the disease, due to the good chances of recovery when it is diagnosed in the early stages.

The number of men contracting the disease has grown in recent years, due to a low level of awareness of the dangers of sun exposure, while women have already become more aware.

On Sunday, 300 skin cancer diagnosis stations will open around the country, for Early Diagnosis of Skin Cancer Awareness week. They stations will be run by the Cancer Association and the health funds, and the checkups will be provided free to the public, regardless of which HMO they belong to. The tests will be offered for six days.

A Market Watch survey conducted for the association last week found that 73% of the Jewish public had internalized the main messages relating to proper conduct for prolonged sun exposure. This is particularly true for the 45-54 age bracket.