Deadly Cancer Sneaks up on Elderly Women

Ivanhoe Newswire
Tuesday, February 6, 2007; 12:00 AM

By Vivian Richardson, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Genital skin cancer is three-times more likely to kill women than men. New research reveals a surprising number of women are dying from this rare cancer, which doctors believe is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The virus can hide out in the skin cells of unsuspecting men and women, waiting for decades before causing cancer. When the ugly secret is revealed, men are more likely to detect it and get treated early enough for a recovery. Women, unfortunately, are more likely die because skin cancers in the genital area too often go undetected until it's too late.

"It is important for elderly women to realize that they should be aware of their body," dermatologist Martin A. Weinstock, M.D., told Ivanhoe. "Look at those areas and, if there are any growths, they should bring it to the attention of a doctor." He suggests using a hand mirror to look for unusual growths or sores that don't heal right away.

Dr. Weinstock, a professor of dermatology and community health at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and his colleagues reviewed 32 years of skin cancer death records to learn more about non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers can usually be treated successfully if caught early enough.

"I was surprised that such a high proportion of [non-melanoma] skin cancer deaths are, in fact, due to skin cancers of the genital skin, because skin cancers there aren't nearly as common compared to cancers on the head and neck, or on the back, arms or legs," Dr. Weinstock said. Most of the deaths occurred in women older than 65.

Genital Skin Cancer Deaths

Women:
Younger than 65: Less than one death per 100,000 per year
65-74:   1.8 deaths per 100,000 per year
74-85:   4.1 deaths per 100,000 per year
85 and older:  8.8 deaths per 100,000 per year

Men:
Younger than 65: Less than 0.5 death per 100,000 per year
65-74:   1.0 deaths per 100,000 per year
74-85:   1.9 deaths per 100,000 per year
85 and older:  4.1 deaths per 100,000 per year