Question

Name: Lab day & time: Skin Cancer in Canada Although it's not possible to gather data on skin cancer in early hominins, modern data on skin cancer provide some helpful information. There are 2 main types of skin cancer. In most cases, non- melanoma progresses slowly and doesn't spread to other parts of the body. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2009, 75,100 Canadians were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, but only 270 people died of this disease. The median age of diagnosis for non-melanoma skin cancer is 60. In contrast, melanoma skin cancer can be fatal if it's not treated early on. However, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, only 5,000 new cases of malignant melanoma were diagnosed in 2009. Of these, 940 people died. Although it can strike at different ages, the median age of diagnosis of malignant melanoma is 59. Skin cancer risk increases with UV light exposure, and light skinned Caucasians have a higher incidence of skin cancer than other ethnic groups in Canada. Evolution of Skin Color - The Alternative Explanation 3. In recent years, many people have challenged the conventional view that skin cancer risk alone explains global patterns in the distribution of human skin color. Use the data on skin cancer in Canada to explain why risk of skin cancer might not be a sufficient explanation for the distribution of skin color in indigenous populations.

Answer 1

In the data provided by the Canadian Cancer Society, in the year 2009, a total number of 75,100 Canadians suffered from non-melanoma skin cancer and the number of cases for melanoma skin cancer in the same year is 5000. It is estimated that the risk of skin cancer tends to increase under UV light exposure and the incidence in Caucasians is higher due to their light skin. However, this rationale that the global pattern in distribution of skin color is explained by skin cancer risk is not appropriate and not something that is concrete. This is because it is clearly mentioned in the data that over 75,100 Canadians in 2009 has non-melanoma and 5000 has malignant melanoma but it is not mentioned if it is the Caucasians or the ethnic group of Canada. It is given according to the statistical data that with so many Canadians suffering from cancer, skin color might not be the only determining factor which might lead to causing cancer.