Implication of ultraviolet B radiation exposure for non-melanoma skin cancer in Korea

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common subtypes of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) exposure has been correlated with the occurrence of NMSC in humans. Thus far, studies investigating UVB-associated risk factors for NMSC in Asia have not been completed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of UVB radiation exposure on the incidence of NMSC. Using UVB index and National Health Insurance databases, we performed a regression analysis using a linear model to describe the relationship between UVB measurements and NMSC incidence. The cut-off age at which the number of NMSC patients increased significantly was 60 years old. Our study found that 52.2% of NMSC patients were males, while 47.8% were females. There was a strong positive correlation between the annual UVB index and NMSC incidence rates in individuals 60 years and older. Males, individuals 60 years and older and persons who live in higher UVB index in Korea might be susceptible to NMSC.