**2. Materials and methods**

In a retrospective epidemiological analysis, we evaluated the statistical data of the nonmelanoma skin cancer (C44 according to the 10th revision of ICD) and the cutaneous melanoma (C43) in the residents of the Upper Silesia, an administrative region established by the Local Government Reorganization Act of 1998 (effective 1 January 1999). The incidence data were obtained from the Department of Epidemiology and Silesia Cancer Registry, Maria Sklodow‐ ska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch. The nonmelanoma and melanoma incidence were estimated by calculating both, age-specific and crude rates, and the standardized incidence rates (per the population of 100 000) with the use of a direct method and "the world's population" as a standard [9].

Silesia, 1999–2007.

00-04

05-09

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Males - C44 Males - C43 Females - C44 Females - C43

**Figure 1.** Age-specific incidence rates for non-melanoma cancer (C44) and melanoma (C43) of the skin by sex, Upper

**Age (years) N Rate N Rate** 0-4 0 0.00 0 0.00 5- 9 1 0.09 0 0.00 10-14 1 0.07 1 0.07 15-19 4 0.23 4 0.24 20-24 3 0.17 11 0.63 25-29 14 0.86 20 1.24 30-34 28 1.92 33 2.30 35-39 34 2.36 45 3.15 40-44 119 7.28 105 6.36 45-49 157 9.00 213 11.76 50-54 306 19.75 309 18.68 55-59 391 33.73 384 29.90 60-64 540 56.45 487 43.94 65-69 688 83.57 549 53.14 70-74 751 125.56 685 77.43

45-49

50-54

Incidence of Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in the Inhabitants of the Upper Silesia, Poland

55-59

60-64

65-69

**Males Females**

70-74

75-79

80-84

85-..

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55239

3

The cumulative risk was also calculated. The cumulative risk is the risk which an individual would have of developing the skin non-melanoma and melanoma from birth to age74 years if no other causes of death were in operation. Moreover, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer incidence rates were estimated according to the lesion distribution over the body. The following distribution was included into the study: the head and neck, trunk, arms and legs.
