Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma is Exploding Among U.S. Males Over 65

Males over the age of 65 years are experiencing a tremendous and growing increase in nonmelanoma skin cancers, according to a new report. Models predict the trend will continue for several decades, highlighting an immediate need for intervention to reverse it.

Worldwide, in 2021, an estimated 4,265,778 instances of nonmelanoma skin cancer were diagnosed. Almost three million instances were basal cell carcinoma, and predictions show an increase of more than 140% in the rate of newly diagnosed basal cell carcinomas by the year 2050. An increase of 140% would mean that in 2050 we will see more than seven million cases diagnosed—an astonishing surge in diagnoses.

But the most concerning data reported was related to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The first concern is that the U.S. had the highest incidence rate of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma compared to 204 other countries. More than basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma was responsible for more years of life lost from living with the disability of skin cancer.

Even more worrisome is the prediction that males will have an incidence rate of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that is nearly 230% higher than females. These data suggest an emerging health crisis for the U.S., with older males being diagnosed with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Perhaps unsurprising given the effects of aging and the reduced capacity of human immunity, individuals over 95 years of age suffered more negative effects from living with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in comparison to individuals aged 65 to 69 years. They had higher rates of incidence, prevalence, and time lost from living with the disability of skin cancer.

The authors of the report suggested that population growth was the main contributor to the statistics showing increases in nonmelanoma skin cancer. They also cite lesser but still important contributors, such as the lifetime accumulation of skin damage, UV exposure starting in childhood, increased number of screenings, and improved reporting systems. However, the authors also state that increases among males may be due to lower awareness about skin cancer and neglecting skin screenings, which partially contradicts their reasons for the general increase in skin cancer incidences.

Unchanged from multiple previous studies is the countries that suffer the highest rates of skin cancers. These countries include the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

Lastly, the authors suggest that educating individuals on sun safety and UV avoidance behaviors, particularly at an early age, could have a dramatic impact on reducing the occurrence of skin lesions. Sun-safe behaviors are outlined here on our prevention page and ways to avoid damaging radiation from UV during the summer can be found here on our blog post Stay Sun-Safe: Essential Strategies for UV Protection this Summer.

If you are interested in offering this type of education to your community as a volunteer opportunity with the help of AIM, please visit AIM at Melanoma’s Sun Safety Initiative. We need every individual to help us make a difference in skin cancer.

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Note that the data used for this study came from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease database that is found on the website of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (https://ghdx.healthdata.org). It uses a number of data sites to estimate health data, including the CDC, data.gov, WHO Global Health Observatory and others.

This news summary was based on the article, “Burden of Skin Cancer in Older Adults From 1990 to 2021 and Modelled Projection to 2050,” by Ruiyao Wang and colleagues and published online in JAMA Dermatology on May 21, 2025.