Decrease in Melanoma Deaths Only Occurring Among the Most Educated

The recent drop in melanoma mortality rates among non-Hispanic whites in the US is found among those patients with higher levels of education, according to a new study from the American Cancer Society. These findings show that early detection strategies intended for high-risk, low-educated, non-Hispanic white individuals are needed, study authors say.

In general, melanoma mortality rates among non-Hispanic whites (aged 25 to 64 years) have been declining in men and women since the early 1990s. However, death rates according to socioeconomic status (SES) have been unknown.

Researchers led by Vilma Cokkinides, PhD, set out to determine whether melanoma death rates differed according to SES. During the study, death certificates from 26 states, representing approximately 45% of the US population, were examined. Researchers discovered a 10% decrease in melanoma mortality over the latest 10-year span (1993-97 to 2003-07) in both men and women.

However, mortality rates declined only among those patients with 13 or more years of education, regardless of gender. In fact, nonsignificant increases in mortality rates were discovered among the least educated individuals. As a result, the educational gap in melanoma mortality rates increased by 35.7% in women and 51.7% in men.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to document this education gap in melanoma mortality trends among non-Hispanic whites in the US,” said Dr Cokkinides. “The reasons for the widening of the educational gap in mortality rates are not yet understood, but we do know the cornerstone of melanoma control is recognizing the signs of melanoma early. Lower socioeconomic status is associated with suboptimal knowledge and awareness of melanoma, inadequate health insurance, and lower rates of skin self-examination or physician screening.”

Source: ACS.