The Skin Cancer Working Group

Skin cancers are the most prevalent neoplasms in white-skinned populations worldwide and their incidence is increasing. The three main types of skin cancer are the keratinocyte skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)), which together account for approximately 90% of all skin cancers diagnosed globally, and cutaneous melanoma. Because of its rapid evolution and high metastatic capacity, melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. While it represents approximately 4% of skin neoplasms, it accounts for 80% of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma, BCC and SCC were reported to share common risk factors, such as a fair pigmentation, ultraviolet radiation exposure, and a family history of skin cancer. Melanoma is additionally associated with propensity to develop naevi (moles). However, little is known on the associations between skin cancer risk and other potential risk factors, and data on the factors linked to melanoma survival are lacking.

The Skin Cancer Working Group aims to explore the epidemiology of skin cancers by analysing environmental and genetic exposures in relation to skin cancer risk and survival. Current projects involve the investigation of endogenous and exogenous hormonal exposures, nutritional factors, and UV exposure.

Selected publications:

1. Mahamat-Saleh Y, Cervenka I, Al-Rahmoun M, Mancini FR, Severi G, Ghiasvand R, Veierod MB, Caini S, Palli D, Botteri E, Sacerdote C, Ricceri F, Trichopoulou A, Peppa E, La Vecchia C, Overvad K, Dahm CC, Olsen A, Tjønneland A, Perez-Cornago A, Jakszyn P, Grioni S, Schulze MB, Skeie G, Lasheras C, Colorado-Yohar S, Rodríguez-Barranco M, Kühn T, Katzke VA, Amiano P, Tumino R, Panico S, Ezponda A, Sonestedt E, Scalbert A, Weiderpass E, Boutron-Ruault MC, Kvaskoff M. Citrus intake and risk of skin cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition cohort (EPIC). Eur J Epidemiol. 2020 (in press)
2. Cervenka I, Al Rahmoun M, Mahamat-Saleh Y, Fournier A, Boutron-Ruault MC, Severi G, Caini S, Palli D, Ghiasvand R, Veierod MB, Botteri E, Tjønneland A, Olsen A, Fortner RT, Kaaks R, Schulze MB, Panico S, Trichopoulou A, Dessinioti C, Niforou K, Sieri S, Tumino R, Sacerdote C, Bueno-de-Mesquita B, Sandanger TM, Colorado-Yohar S, Sánchez MJ, Gil Majuelo L, Lujan-Barroso L, Ardanaz E, Merino S, Isaksson K, Butt S, Ljuslinder I, Jansson M, Travis RC, Khaw KT, Weiderpass E, Dossus L, Rinaldi S, Kvaskoff M. Exogenous hormone use and cutaneous melanoma risk in women: The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Int J Cancer. 2019 to Int J Cancer. 2020 Jun 15;146(12):3267-3280 PMID: 31506954.
3. Bradbury KE, Appleby PN, Tipper SJ, Travis RC, Allen NE, Kvaskoff M, Overvad K, Tjønneland A, Halkjaer J, Cervenka I, Mahamat-Saleh Y, Bonnet F, Kaaks R, Fortner RT, Boeing H, Trichopoulou A, La Vecchia C, Stratigos AJ, Palli D, Grioni S, Matullo G, Panico S, Tumino R, Peeters PH, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Ghiasvand R, Veierød MB, Weiderpass E, Bonet C, Molina E, Huerta JM, Larrañaga N, Barricarte A, Merino S, Isaksson K, Stocks T, Ljuslinder I, Hemmingsson O, Wareham N, Khaw KT, Gunter MJ, Rinaldi S, Tsilidis KK, Aune D, Riboli E, Key TJ. Circulating insulin-like growth factor I in relation to melanoma risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition. Int J Cancer. 2019 Mar 1;144(5):957-966 PMID: 30191956.
4. Caini S, Masala G, Saieva C, Kvaskoff M, Savoye I, Sacerdote C, Hemmingsson O, Hammer Bech B, Overvad K, Tjønneland A, Petersen KE, Mancini FR, Boutron-Ruault MC, Cervenka I, Kaaks R, Kühn T, Boeing H, Floegel A, Trichopoulou A, Valanou E, Kritikou M, Tagliabue G, Panico S, Tumino R, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Peeters PH, Veierød MB, Ghiasvand R, Lukic M, Quirós JR, Chirlaque MD, Ardanaz E, Salamanca Fernández E, Larrañaga N, Zamora-Ros R, Maria Nilsson L, Ljuslinder I, Jirström K, Sonestedt E, Key TJ, Wareham N, Khaw KT, Gunter M, Huybrechts I, Murphy N, Tsilidis KK, Weiderpass E, Palli D. Coffee, tea and melanoma risk: findings from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Int J Cancer. 2017 May 15;140(10):2246-2255 PMID: 28218395.

Contact details/Working Group leader

Marina Kvaskoff, PhD
Inserm U1018, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and
Population Health (CESP)
Exposome and Heredity Team, Gustave Roussy
114 rue Edouard Vaillant, F-94805 Villejuif, France
marina.kvaskoff@gustaveroussy.fr