The researchers also found that a history of skin cancer was associated with small increases in risk across many cancers rather than large increases in a few. Five of six previous studies have found a similar association between a history of skin cancer and later diagnosis of other cancer.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than one million adults who were participants in Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS II). CPS II, a prospective mortality study of about 1.2 million Americans, was begun by the American Cancer Society in 1982. The researchers compared the annual risk of dying from cancer over a twelve year follow-up (1982 to 1994) among approximately 35,000 men and women who reported having had skin cancer (other than melanoma) in 1982 to that in the over one million people who did not report a history of skin cancer. The analyses were adjusted for age, race, tobacco smoking, and other factors known to be associated with cancer risk. The study measured cancer death rates rather than diagnoses, making it less likely that the association reflects more attentive medical care.

"These skin cancers have long been known to be associated with melanoma but not with other cancers," says Henry S. Kahn, MD, senior research fellow for the American Cancer Society, professor of family and preventive medicine at Emory University, and lead author of the study. "We don't yet understand whether the association reflects shared genetic susceptibility or shared external risk factors. Although people who have had skin cancer and their doctors should be more alert to the possibility of other cancers, the real audience for this study is medical researchers looking for common factors in different cancers," says Dr. Kahn.

"Every association does not have an immediate public health meaning," notes Michael Thun, MD, vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society and a co-author of the study. "If the common link between these cancers is ultraviolet light, then taking steps to reduce the risk of skin cancer would also help reduce risk of other cancers," says Dr. Thun. "More likely this represents some genetic susceptibility, and we need to understand more about this in order to counteract it."

Each year in the US there are approximately one million cases each year of highly curable basal cell or squamous cell cancers. Irrespective of the findings of this study, the American Cancer Society notes that most of these cancers are preventable, and recommends limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; covering as much skin as possible when in the sun by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and a hat that shades the face, neck, and ears; and using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Most skin cancers can be cured by regular checkups, early detection and removal by a doctor.

Other co-authors of the study are Lilith M. Tatham, DVM, MPH; Alpa V. Patel, MPH; and Clark W. Heath, Jr., MD.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. For more information about cancer or the American Cancer Society and its programs, contact your local American Cancer Society by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.

Joann Schellenbach
National Director Media Relations
American Cancer Society
212-382-2169
jschelle@cancer.org