Melanoma of the skin statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Melanoma skin cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C43 (Malignant neoplasm of skin).
Estimated number of new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed in 2021
16,878 = 9,869 males + 7,009 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
11.2%
Estimated number of deaths from melanoma of the skin in 2021
1,315 = 843 males + 472 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
2.7%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
92%
People living with melanoma of the skin at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
60,356
New cases
Melanoma of the skin was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017. It is estimated that it will be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2021.
In 2017, there were 14,846 new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed in Australia (8,747 males and 6,099 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 16,878 new cases of melanoma of the skin will be diagnosed in Australia (9,869 males and 7,009 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 18 (or 5.7%) risk of being diagnosed with melanoma of the skin by the age of 85 (1 in 15 or 6.7% for males and 1 in 22 or 4.6% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 54 cases per 100,000 persons (66 for males and 43 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 55 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 45 for females). The incidence rate for melanoma of the skin is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for melanoma of the skin, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for melanoma skin cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed increased from 3,543 (1,740 males and 1,803 females) in 1982 to 14,846 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 27 cases per 100,000 persons (28 for males and 26 for females) in 1982 to 54 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 1,405 deaths from melanoma of the skin in Australia (941 males and 464 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,315 deaths (843 males and 472 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 246 (or 0.41%) risk of dying from melanoma of the skin by the age of 85 (1 in 188 or 0.53% for males and 1 in 356 or 0.28% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.6 for males and 2.8 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.6 for males and 2.6 for females). The mortality rate for melanoma of the skin is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for melanoma of the skin, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for melanoma skin cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from melanoma of the skin increased from 596 (380 males and 216 females) in 1982 to 1,405 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 3.2 for females) in 1982 to 4.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with melanoma of the skin had a 92% chance (91% for males and 94% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for melanoma of the skin improved from 89% to 92%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for melanoma of the skin, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for melanoma skin cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 14,271 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin that year, 60,356 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 199,715 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Melanoma skin cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.