Veterans experience higher rates of skin cancer, psoriasis than nonveterans

Key takeaways:

• Veterans were 1.72 and 2.27 times more likely to have a history of skin cancer and melanoma vs. nonveterans, respectively.
• They were also 1.61 times more likely to receive a psoriasis diagnosis.

Veterans experience higher prevalence rates of skin cancer, especially melanoma, and psoriasis compared with nonveterans, according to a study.

“Veterans experience unique challenges during and after military service, which are associated with greater morbidity across many diseases compared with the general U.S. population,” Shawheen J. Rezaei, MPhil, an MD student at Standford University School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “Therefore, understanding how various skin health conditions present in this specific population is important.”

The authors conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey is comprised of three questionnaires that ask respondents about demographics, medical conditions and dermatology.

A total of 61,307 participants responded to the survey. Of these, 54,554 were nonveterans and 6,753 were veterans.

Results showed that there was a higher prevalence of any skin cancer history among veterans, with 9% reporting having had skin cancer compared with 2.9% of nonveterans (P < .001). Veterans also suffered higher rates of melanoma history vs. nonveterans (2.2% vs. 0.6%; P < .001).

After adjusting for demographic factors, veterans were still 1.72 (95% CI, 1.23-2.4) times more likely to have a history of skin cancer and 2.27 (95% CI, 1.17-4.39) times more likely to have a history of melanoma compared with nonveterans.

As Healio previously reported, the increased risk for skin cancer, particularly melanoma, may be due in part to occupational hazards including being stationed in locations closer to the equator or having been in the Air Force.

Rezaei and colleagues also posited that a lack of sunscreen use contributes to the higher rates of skin cancer among veterans with a veteran status being associated with being outdoors more often, but not increasing their frequency of sun protection practices. Veteran status was associated with a a 44% to 45% increased risk for severe sunburn after spending just 30 minutes in the sun.

In addition to skin cancer, veterans had a higher prevalence of a psoriasis diagnosis compared with nonveterans (4.5% vs. 2.9%; P = .002). They were also 1.61 times more likely to receive a psoriasis diagnosis vs. nonveterans.

“Public health measures seeking to address veteran health care differences could emphasize primary preventive strategies to mitigate risk and early detection of dermatologic conditions through regular skin examinations,” the authors concluded.