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The bikini and the rise of the Speedo could be contributing to higher levels of skin cancer.

Researchers who analysed a century of changing fashions say cultural and historical forces have contributed to the rise in the incidence of melanoma.

They believe early diagnosis and improved reporting practices do not fully account for the steady rise in cases of melanoma.

Researchers analysed bathing outfits from the 1900s (pictured) to the modern day - and found the amount of skin on show increased dramatically

The NYU Langone Medical Center analyzed clothing styles, social norms, medical paradigms, perceptions of tanned skin, economic trends and travel patterns. 

Their findings are the subject of a report, 'More Skin, More Sun, More Tan, More Melanoma,' in the October 6, 2014 issue of the American Journal of Public Health:  

For comparisons between periods, they estimated percentage of exposed areas of the body. 

For example, early in the 20th century people donned clothing that almost totally concealed the body from head to toe. 

'Porcelain' skin was favored over the 'tanned' skin, which was associated with a lower class of people who worked outdoors.

Changes in medical practice also would pave the way for a shift.

'In the early 20th century, sunshine became widely accepted as treatment for rickets and tuberculosis, and was considered to be good for overall general health,' Dr. Polsky said. 

'In lay circles, this medical prescriptive translated into a growing belief in the benefit of tanning.

The researchers plotted the changes over time as more and more skin was on show

'People also began to enjoy more leisure time and to favor swimwear and sportswear that progressively covered less skin. 

'Voices that raised concern about the dangers of UV exposure were largely ignored.

Another contributing factor, the researchers concluded, has been the reversal in attitude about tanned skin, which became a sign of the leisurely upper class quality of life and good health.

Graphs tracking the incidence by year and percentage of estimated skin exposure show that these developments rose in parallel with the rise in melanoma cases in the U.S.

Graphs tracking the incidence by year and percentage of estimated skin exposure show that these developments rose in parallel with the rise in melanoma cases in the U.S.

The instances of women (left) and men (right). Invasive melanoma is shown in red, in situ melanoma in green, and swimwear skin exposure in purple.

The increased incidence of melanoma over the years has been a particular concern, especially with the average age of diagnosis and death from melanoma trending younger than for most of the other major cancers. 

'Years-of-life lost to melanoma is nearly as high as breast cancer,' Dr. Polsky said.

Changes in tennis outfits over time were also analysed, showing they had largely stayed the same - although with more arms on show

The study, however, did cite one positive trend – down under. 

Australia, widely considered the 'skin cancer capital of the world' according to Dr. Polsky, has managed to turn things around, possibly with the help of a public education campaign and a change of view about tanning – thus giving other places still basking in the sun a glimmer of hope.

'Attitudes and behaviors shape exposures. More skin, more sun and more tan lead to more melanoma,' Dr. Polsky concluded.