Modifiable Risk-factors for Keratinocyte Cancers in Australia: A Case-control Study

Keratinocyte cancer (KC) is the most common malignancy in Caucasians. The incidence of KC has increased over the past 40 years. This case-control study investigated the environmental and host risk-factors responsible for development of KC in Australia's high-risk population. Cases were immune-competent adults from Townsville, Australia (19.3°S) who had a new basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histologically-confirmed during 2004 to 2009. Cases were age-matched (±5 years) to immuno-competent, community-based controls from Townsville with no prior history of KC. Binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate correlation between KC, sun exposure and other potential risk-factors. A total of 112 cases of SCC, 95 cases of BCC and 122 controls were analysed. Freckling during adolescence (SCC: odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, p