In the state that practically sells sunshine by the gallon, a new analysis from Florida Atlantic University finds older Florida men are dying from melanoma at roughly twice the rate of women, sounding an alarm just as summer ramps up. Researchers say the gap is especially stark among seniors and points to prevention that never happened and warning signs that were spotted too late.
Inside The FAU Study
According to Florida Atlantic University, the peer‑reviewed paper in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology used CDC WONDER data to examine melanoma diagnoses from 2018 through 2021 and deaths through 2023 among adults 65 and older. Across that period, older men experienced about double the melanoma deaths compared with women.
The team also flagged a dip in reported melanoma cases in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021, which they largely attribute to COVID‑era disruptions in routine skin checks and cancer screenings. “It is not just about sun exposure. There are behavioral patterns, biological factors and gaps in early detection that all play a role,” senior author Lea Sacca said.
How Florida Compares To National Trends
National surveillance data show the Florida pattern fits into a broader, long‑running divide between men and women. SEER reports U.S. melanoma death rates of about 2.9 per 100,000 for men compared with 1.3 per 100,000 for women.
Local reporting and experts told WPEC/CBS12 that men are generally less likely to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing or do routine skin checks, a mix of habits that can delay diagnosis and worsen outcomes.
Who Carries The Heaviest Burden
The FAU analysis found that non‑Hispanic white residents bear the highest burden of melanoma diagnoses and deaths, while Hispanic populations showed significantly lower rates, according to Florida Atlantic University. The paper also stresses that Florida has one of the nation’s heaviest skin‑cancer burdens overall and that older adults account for the bulk of melanoma deaths, reinforcing calls for senior‑focused screening and outreach.
Prevention, Treatment And The Summer Ahead
Public health experts and clinicians say simple prevention measures such as broad‑spectrum sunscreen, shade, protective clothing and regular skin checks can make a life‑saving difference, especially for older men, the Skin Cancer Foundation notes. Local coverage and the study authors are pushing for more culturally responsive education and better access to dermatologic care so suspicious spots are evaluated earlier, per WPEC/CBS12.
FAU researchers say the findings should spur summer outreach to seniors and caregivers: prioritize sun protection and ask primary care providers about skin exams. The study’s authors and public health groups are calling for targeted campaigns aimed at older men ahead of the peak UV months, before another season of preventable cancers slips by.
