Ecuador Skin-Cancer Study Puts Older Adults and High-Sun Provinces on Alert

Research carried out in Quito is putting renewed attention on sun exposure and skin cancer in Ecuador.

The study analyzed skin-cancer cases between 2015 and 2021 using hospital-discharge data from INEC and records from Solca.

Who Was Most Affected

The research found that the most affected population was people older than 65, with men more affected than women.

The provinces highlighted in the study were Pichincha, Azuay, Loja, Guayas and Manabi.

In Pichincha, Azuay and Loja, the research found more cases of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer related to sunburn. On the coast, the findings were tied to accumulated solar radiation and the type of exposure linked to work or profession.

What To Watch For

The warning signs listed in the study include a spot, pimple or mole that grows, changes color, itches or changes in size.

People with those changes were advised to see a dermatologist.

Newer Research Underway

A second study covering 2021 to 2025 is underway and is expected to be ready by September. It includes ultraviolet-radiation records starting in 2020.

In related prevention work, researchers selected 150 traffic agents who had spent at least five to 10 years exposed to the sun. The 2023 study took facial skin samples and found melasma, lentigines, premalignant lesions, skin cancers and precancers.

What This Means for Expats

For expats in Ecuador, especially in high-altitude cities such as Quito, Cuenca and Loja, this is a health story with everyday consequences.

The practical advice is simple: avoid direct sun between 10:00 and 15:00, use a hat or face covering, wear glasses and stay hydrated.

Ecuador's sun can feel mild on cool highland days, but the exposure still counts. If a mole, spot or bump changes, treat it as a reason to book a dermatology visit rather than something to keep watching indefinitely.