Melanoma Skin Cancer Facts and Figures

Incidence

• Melanoma skin cancer accounted for 2.8% of all new cancer cases in 2004.
• The Age Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) of melanoma skin cancer was 11.2 (12.5 in men and 10.2 in women) per 100,000 in 2004.
• 70.3% melanoma skin cancer occurs over age 50--76.8% in men and 63.1% in women.
• Incidence rates of melanoma skin cancer have significantly increased over the past several decades, particularly for men (figure 1).

Figure 1 Age standardized incidence rates by sex, melanoma skin cancer, Canada, 1972-2004

Mortality

• In 2004 malignant melanoma skin cancer represented 1.2% (790) of all cancer deaths in Canada, with 1.4%(489) in men and 0.9%(301) in women.
• The Age Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) for melanoma skin cancer has doubled in men and remained steady in women from 1972 to 2004.

Figure 2 Age standardized mortality rates by sex, melanoma skin cancer, Canada, 1972-2004

Survival

• Estimated five year relative survival ratio is 90% in Canada; 87% for men and 93% for women.

* Data source is from the Canadian Cancer Registry Database (Orius system)