Stockholm: A study has found that the risk of malignant melanoma or skin cancer is decreasing in people under the age of 50. Researchers found that the trend is downward in younger people. They also analyzed some of the reasons behind this such as awareness about sun protection. The research analyzed Swedish melanoma data to examine melanoma incidence and mortality for different age groups over time. Study author Hildur Helgadóttir, senior consultant and associate professor of oncology at the Pakrolinska Institute in Sweden, said that mortality rates have declined up to the age of 59, but not in those over 60. The question is why has the risk of melanoma decreased?
The researchers said, We did not directly analyze causality in the study, but we have hypotheses about factors that we believe may have interacted. One of the main reasons behind this is the growing awareness of sun protection. Mobile phones and computers are also a reason why children and youth are spending more time indoors and are less exposed to sunlight. People who come out are able to tolerate the sun's rays better.