RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Ninety percent of skin cancers are avoidable. In Denmark, 16,500 cases of melanoma and keratinocyte cancers were registered in 2015. The Danish Sun Safety Campaign has campaigned since 2007, targeting overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. During 2007-2015, the key indicators of skin cancer, i.e. sunbed use and sunburn, showed annual reductions of 6% and 1%, respectively. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the financial savings to society as a result of the campaign reductions in skin cancer cases (2007-2040), and to examine the campaign's cost-benefit and return on investment (ROI). METHODS: The analysis is based on existing data: (1) annual population-based surveys regarding the Danish population's behavior in the sun; (2) skin cancer projections; (3) relative risks of skin cancers from sunburn and sunbed use and (4) historical cancer incidences, combined with new data; (5) benefits from the avoided costs of skin cancer reductions; and (6) the costs of the Danish Sun Safety Campaign. RESULTS: The results were based on a reduction of 9000 skin cancer cases, saving 29 million of which 13 million were derived from sunburn reductions and 16 million from reductions in sunbed use. The ROI was 2.18. CONCLUSION: Skin cancer prevention in Denmark is cost effective. Every Euro spent by the Danish Sun Safety Campaign saved the Danish health budget 2.18 in health expenses.
RESUMO
Abstract, Results, first sentence, which previously read: "The results were based on a reduction of 9000 skin cancer cases, saving 47 million of which 29 million were derived from sunburn reductions and 16 million from reductions in sunbed use."
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sunbed use increases the risk of skin cancer. The Danish sunbed legislation (2014) did not include an age limit. AIM: To model skin cancer incidences and saved costs from potential effects of structural interventions on prevalence of sunbed use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Survey data from 2015 were collected for 3999 Danes, representative for the Danish population in regards to age, gender and region. Skin cancer incidences were modelled in the Prevent program, using population projections, historic cancer incidence, sunbed use exposure and relative risk of sunbed use on melanoma. RESULTS: If structural interventions like an age limit of 18 years for sunbed use or complete ban had been included in the Danish sunbed legislation in 2014, it would have reduced the annual number of skin cancer cases with 455 or 4177, respectively, while for the entire period, 2014-2045 the total reductions would be 3730 or 81 887 fewer cases, respectively. The cost savings from an age limit or ban, respectively, are 9 and 129 millions during 2014-2045. CONCLUSION: Legislative restrictive measures which could reduce the sunbed use exists. Danish politicians have the opportunity, supported by the population, to reduce the skin cancer incidence and thereby to reduce the future costs of skin cancer.