Melanoma Facts

Some Skin Cancer Facts

Skin cancer rates in South Africa are on the high side (Australia is higher than anywhere else in the world). It is probably the most common form of cancer, affecting all age groups. Most common is basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer), which accounts for about 75 per cent of all skin cancers.  Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The non-melanomas are rarely fatal, but can be disfiguring.

Roughly between 50% and 65% of people will develop skin cancer—usually a basal cell carcinoma—and about 1 in 60 people will develop a melanoma in his or her lifetime. Here are a few United States facts and statistics:

• Nearly half of all new cancers are skin cancers.

• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.*

• About 80 percent of the new skin cancer cases will be basal cell carcinoma, 16 percent are squamous cell carcinoma, and 4 percent are melanoma.

• Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have a better than 95 percent cure rate if detected and treated early.

• An estimated 9,800 people will die of skin cancer this year, 7,600 from melanoma and 2,200 from other skin cancers.*

• There will be about 91,900 new cases of melanoma in 2003 – 37,700 in situ (noninvasive) and 54,200 invasive (29,900 men and 24,300 women).* This is a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2002. In 2003, at current rates one in 39 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma and one in 67 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing invasive melanoma.

• One person dies of melanoma every hour. In 2003, 7,600 deaths will be attributed to melanoma – 4,700 men and 2,900 women.* Older Caucasian males have the highest mortality rates from melanoma.

• The incidence of melanoma more than tripled among Caucasians between 1980 and 2003.

• More than 77 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.

• Melanoma is more common than any non-skin cancer among women between 25 and 29 years old.

• Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh most common cancer in women.* **

  *Source: American Cancer Society’s 2003 Facts & Figures
  **Excluding basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which together are the most common cancers in both sexes.

Melanoma Facts

Q. What is melanoma?
A. Melanoma, a very serious skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing tanning cells. Melanomas may suddenly appear without warning, but can also develop from or near a mole. They are found most frequently on the upper backs of men and women or on the legs of women, but can occur anywhere on the body.

The overall incidence of melanoma is rising at an alarming rate. In 2003, at current rates one in 67 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing invasive melanoma, a 2000% increase from 1930. In addition, one in 39 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma, invasive or non-invasive.

Q. Is melanoma a serious disease?
A. More than 77 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. Advanced melanoma spreads to internal organs and may result in death. One person each hour dies from melanoma. If detected in the early stages, melanoma can usually be treated successfully.

Q. How many people will develop melanoma this year?
A. There will be about 91,900 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the United States in 2003 – 37,700 in situ (noninvasive) and 54,200 invasive (29,900 men and 24,300 women).* This is a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2002.

In addition, 7,600 people are expected to die from the disease – 4,700 men and 2,900 women. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh most common cancer in women.* **

Q. What causes melanoma?
A. Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important preventable cause of melanoma. People in southern regions, where the sunlight is more intense, are more likely to develop melanoma than those in northern regions. Melanoma has also been linked to excessive sun exposure in the first 10 to 18 years of life. Other possible causes include genetic factors and immune system deficiencies.

Q. Who gets melanoma?
A. Melanoma can strike anyone. Caucasians are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than other races. However, even among Caucasians, certain individuals are at higher risk than others. For example:

• Your chances increase significantly if you’ve already had one melanoma.

• You have a substantially increased risk of developing melanoma if you have many moles, large moles or atypical (unusual) moles.

• Your risk is increased if your parents, children or siblings have had melanoma.

• If you are a Caucasian with fair skin, your risk is four times as great as a Caucasian with olive skin.

• Redheads and blondes have a twofold to fourfold increased risk of developing melanoma.

• Excessive sun exposure in the first 10 to 18 years of life increases your chances of developing melanoma.

Q. What are atypical moles?
A. Most people have moles (also known as nevi). Atypical moles are unusual moles that are generally larger than normal moles, variable in color, often have irregular borders and may occur in far greater number than regular moles. Atypical moles occur most often on the back and also commonly occur on the chest, abdomen and legs in women. It is important to recognize that atypical moles are not limited to any specific body area -- they may occur anywhere. The presence of multiple atypical moles may mark a greater risk of melanoma developing either in a mole or on apparently normal skin.

Q. What does melanoma look like?
A. Recognition of changes in the skin is the best way to detect early melanoma. Melanoma generally begins as a mottled, light brown to black flat blemish with irregular borders. The blemish is usually at least one-quarter inch in size. It may turn shades of red, blue or white, crust on the surface and bleed. They most frequently appear on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head and neck. A changing mole, a new mole, or a mole that is different or “ugly” or begins to grow requires prompt medical attention.

If you notice a mole on your skin, you should follow the simple ABCD rule which outlines the warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry – One half does not match the other half.

• Border irregularity – The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.

• Color – The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown or black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance.

• Diameter – The width is greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Any growth of a mole should be of concern.

Everyone should examine their skin regularly. This means looking over your entire body including your back, your scalp, the soles of your feet, between your toes and the palms of your hands. If there are any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes in the skin, see your dermatologist immediately.

Q. Can melanoma be cured?
A. When detected in its earliest stages, melanoma is highly curable. The average five-year survival rate for individuals with melanoma is 89 percent. For localized melanoma, melanoma that has not spread beyond the outer layers of the skin at the time of detection, the average five-year survival rate is 96 percent. Approximately 82 percent of melanomas are diagnosed at a localized stage.*

When detected early, surgical removal of thin melanomas can cure the disease in most cases. Early detection is essential; there is a direct correlation between the thickness of the melanoma and survival rate. Dermatologists recommend a regular self-examination of the skin to detect changes in its appearance. Additionally, patients with risk factors should have a complete skin examination by a dermatologist annually. Anyone with a changing or new mole or blemish should be examined immediately.

Q. Can melanoma be prevented?
A. Because overexposure to ultraviolet light is thought to be a primary cause of many melanomas, dermatologists recommend the following precautions:

• Avoid “peak” sunlight hours -- 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. -- when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• Seek shade whenever possible. Remember “No shadow…seek the shade!” If your shadow is shorter than you are, the damaging rays of the sun are at their strongest and you’re likely to sunburn.

• Wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirt and pants during prolonged periods of sun exposure.

• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher, 15 - 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, especially when playing, gardening, swimming or doing any other outdoor activities. Sunscreens should not be used to increase the time spent in intense sunlight or instead of protective clothing.

*Source: American Cancer Society’s 2003 Facts & Figures
** Excluding basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which together are the most common cancers in both sexes.