National UV and Skin Cancer Strategy

Background and organization

Norway is among the countries with the highest incidence and mortality of melanoma in the world, and skin cancer is one of the types of cancer that has increased the most in the course of the past ten years. In order to meet these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Care Services gave the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) the assignment of establishing and coordinating a cross-sectoral working group¹. Under DSA’s leadership, the group prepared a national UV and skin cancer strategy, published in 2019. The aim of the strategy is to reduce the incidence and mortality of skin cancer in Norway. The final strategy is endorsed by the Government.

The objective of the strategy

The national UV and skin cancer strategy includes prevention for all types of skin cancer and applies for a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. The strategy’s aim is to reduce the increase in incidence of skin cancer in Norway by 25% by the year 2040, versus 2018. Further, it shall contribute to reduce mortality by detecting tumours at an early stage. The goal is to reduce the average thickness of melanoma tumours on diagnosis from 1.0 mm (today’s thickness) to under 0.8 mm in the year 2040. Thinner tumours at the point of diagnosis give a better prognosis for survival.

Sub-strategies

Measures to achieve the goals are proposed within three target areas:

1. Prevention in the administrative sector
2. Knowledge and awareness about prevention
3. Earlier detection.

The strategy is a tool for managing and coordinating skin cancer preventive measures in several sectors.

National UV and skin cancer strategy (full version)

National UV and skin cancer strategy (short version)

^[1] Participants from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Cancer Registry of Norway, the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation and Bærum municipality.