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Melanoma Skin Cancer
There
are more than 10,000 melanomas diagnosed each year in the
UK.
Lifetime risk of developing melanoma is estimated at 1 in 91
for men and 1 in 77 for women.
Melanoma is now the most common
cancer in 15 to 34 year olds.
Affluence appears to affect incidence, with incidence rates in
the most affluent areas nearly twice as high as those in the most
deprived areas.
The highest rates for melanoma are in southern England, Scotland,
Northern Ireland and Ireland. |
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Over
the last 30 years, the incidence of melanoma has increased
more than any other common cancer in the UK. Worldwide, incidence
rates of melanoma are doubling every 10-20 years in countries
with white populations.
These increasing trends are expected to continue for a generation,
as benefits from primary prevention - the avoidance
of excessive UV exposure - are not expected to lead to a significant
reduction in incidence for at least 20 years.
The importance of secondary prevention - the early diagnosis
of melanoma - cannot therefore be overstated.
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Non Melanoma
There are
more than 100,000 non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)
diagnosed each year in the UK .
Lifetime risk of developing a NMSC is estimated at
1 in 10.
Most NMSCs are either basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), also known as rodent ulcers,
or squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Both forms are highly treatable and survival
rates for NMSCs are over 95%.
Whilst BCCs rarely metastasise, SCC can and in 2006 there were 577 deaths in
the UK from NMSC. Around 80% of NMSCs occur in people aged over 60 years.
For more information, please visit Cancer
Research UK.
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