Skin cancer may be higher among rich

Skin cancer is more likely to affect men, older people and those living in more affluent areas, according to a study conducted in Northern Ireland.

The study, published in the June issue of British Journal of Dermatology, found a link between patients living in wealthier areas and increased levels of malignant melanomas and basal cell carcinomas.

Women living in affluent areas were 29 percent more likely than people living in disadvantaged areas to suffer from basal cell carcinoma and nearly 2.5 times more likely to suffer from malignant melanoma.

Forty-one percent of men were likely to suffer from basal cell carcinoma if they lived in an affluent area. These men were 2.5 times more likely to suffer from malignant melanoma. Affluence didn't seem to affect squamous cell carcinoma.

However, the researchers at Queen's University and Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast warned that the numbers may be swayed toward the wealthy because those with less money may not seek treatment.