Skin cancer diagnoses in Saxony have been on the rise for years. According to the Barmer health insurance company, the baby boomer generations and older age groups are particularly affected due to UV damage in childhood and adolescence. According to their latest medical report, diagnoses of black skin cancer more than doubled from 8,100 to around 16,800 by 2023, while diagnoses of white skin cancer more than tripled from around 32,000 to around 98,000. Twice as many women between the ages of 50 and 59 were diagnosed as women of the same age between 1946 and 1955.
"Severe sunburns at a younger age leave permanent damage," said Barmer's regional managing director Monika Welfens. They are the long-term consequences of prolonged unprotected sunbathing or visits to the solarium. Careless or unsuspecting exposure to UV rays, especially in the 1980s to 1990s, can still take revenge decades later. "The skin never forgets." With increasing age, early detection is therefore important in order to be able to treat diseases successfully.
