Global Burden of Cutaneous Melanoma in 2020 and Projections to 2040 was published in JAMA Dermatology. This population-based epidemiological study findings on the global burden of cutaneous melanoma in 2020 are based on the GLOBOCAN estimates of cancer incidence and mortality produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
There is a significant skin cancer burden worldwide. In 2020, an estimated 325 000 persons (174 000 males, 151 000 females) worldwide were diagnosed as having melanoma, and approximately 57 000 persons (32 000 males, 25 000 females) died of the disease.
Skin cancer is more prevalent in the older age group. Of all newly diagnosed cases in 2020, 259 000 (79.7%) were persons older than 50 years of age, and of all deaths in 2020, 50 000 persons (87.7%) were older than 50 years of age. However, it was very common in the younger population.
Skin cancer was most prevalent in Australia. The highest incidence rates for both males (42 per 100 000 person-years) and females (31 per 100 000 person-years) were observed in Australia/New Zealand. Australia/NZ was followed by Western Europe, North America and Northern Europe. The lowest incidence rates occurred in most regions of Africa and Asia, with rates less than 1 per 100 000 person-years (except for Middle and Southern Africa as well as Western Asia). Australians were 36-folds more likely to get skin cancers than people living in Asia/Africa.
Skin cancer caused most deaths in Australia. The highest mortality rates (4 per 100 000 person-years for males, 2 per 100 000 person-years for females) were observed in Australia/New Zealand, whereas rates in most other world regions were much lower, ranging between 0.2- 1.0 per 100 000 person-years.
Men are more prone to skin cancer than women. Worldwide, melanoma was more common in males (174 000 cases) than in females (151 000 cases).
In Australia, lifetime risk at the age of 75 years is 1 in 20 males and 1 in 30 females. The corresponding cumulative risk of dying of melanoma before 75 years of age in Australia/New Zealand was 1 in 280 males and 1 in 555 females.
It is forecasted that the number of newly diagnosed cases of melanoma was estimated to increase by more than 50% by 2040, to 510 000. Similarly, melanoma deaths were estimated to increase by approximately 68%, from 57 000 in 2020 to 96 000 in 2040, assuming rates in 2020 remained stable.
10% of melanomas were familial. With an estimated 10% of cutaneous melanomas occurring in familial settings, the risk of melanoma is also influenced by genetics. An estimated 35% to 40% of familial melanomas have been linked to mutations in the 2 main highly penetrant genes associated with melanoma (CDKN2A/p16, CDK4 and MC1R).
melanoma is more frequent on the trunk in men and on the lower limbs in women. We don’t know why this is the case.
The survival rate following melanoma is favourable in Australia. Five-year survival estimates range between 60% and 90% in most parts of the world and exceed 90% in several high-income (and high-incidence) countries, such as the US, parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, in which skin cancer awareness and clinical skin checks are more common.
The best way to avoid skin cancer is to prevent it with sun protection measures and to diagnose and treat them early.
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Dr Peter Kim
Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic
