Epidemiology

Melanoma is among the most common forms of cancer, and causes of cancer-related death, in young adults. Either sex and any ethnic group may be affected, although men and people with Fitzpatrick type I (white) skin are more likely to develop melanoma.[9]

The age-adjusted incidence of melanoma per 100,000 population is 21 in the US (2020), and 27 in the UK (2018).[9][10]​​​​​​​ Between 1982 and 2023, the age-adjusted incidence rate for melanoma in Australia has increased from 26.7 per 100,000 to 57.3 per 100,000.[11]​ Australia has the highest prevalence of melanoma in the world.[12]

The overall estimated probability of developing melanoma in the US has been reported in 2023 at 3.5% for men compared with 2.4% for women.​​[1]​ Men appear to be at a higher risk of melanoma across age groups, apart from birth to 49 years of age, when women have an increased estimated incidence rate of 0.6% compared with 0.4% in men.[1]​​​​

In the UK, European age-standardised incidence rates for females and males combined increased by 140% between 1993-1995 and 2016-2018.[9]

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