The Long-Term Consequences of Low-Cost 1960s Vacation Getaways

A cancer research group in the UK has identified a peculiar factor contributing to the surge in skin cancer cases: the popularity of low-cost vacation trips in the 1960s. According to Cancer Research UK, the number of melanoma cases has reached an all-time high of 17,500 cases per year (source: The Guardian). The most significant increase in cases has been observed among individuals aged 55 and above, with a nearly 200% rise in this age group since the 1990s (source: Sky News). The root cause of this spike can be traced back to the travel trends of the 1960s.

“The increase in rates among individuals over 55 is likely linked to the cultural trend of seeking tanned skin and the boom in budget package holidays that originated in the 1960s, a time when people were not yet aware of the risks of skin cancer,” stated the cancer research group. Factors such as heightened awareness of danger signs (such as new or changing moles) and the overall growth in the UK’s population, particularly among seniors, also contribute to the rising number of cases. The cancer research group predicts that by 2040, the number of skin cancer cases per year will rise to 26,500. However, there is a positive note: deaths from skin cancer are decreasing due to early detection and treatment methods (source: Herald Scotland). (Read more skin cancer stories.)