Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

Scroll for more...

In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

Run detailed and customised reports on specific cancers, with comparisons on age, genders and geography:

Online statistics module

Melanoma

Share this page Email this page to a friend Share this page via Twitter Share this page via Facebook Share this page via LinkedIn

Melanoma accounts for 9.8 per cent of all new cancer in NSW and 3.7 per cent of cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 2,127 59.9 negative trend upwards 14.9 1,464 37.4 negative trend upwards 11.2 3,591 47.5
Deaths 343 9.8 negative trend upwards 11.9
 146 3.4 icon-trend-static.png 489 6.3
Relative survival
(5 year)		 88% unchanged 93% unchanged -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in NSW and tenth overall in cancer mortality.
  • One in 13 males and one in 24 females will develop melanoma by the age of 85.
  • In 2011, 4,351 new cases of melanoma and 522 deaths are expected in NSW.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

melanoma-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

melanoma-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sun burn are the primary risk factors for melanoma.
  • Risk is increased in people who use solariums.
  • Melanoma incidence is higher in people with freckles, moles, blue eyes, red hair and skin that burns easily.
  • Melanoma is more likely to occur in older people and men have a higher rate of melanoma than women.
  • Risk is higher in kidney and heart transplant recipients and in AIDS patients, related to the degree of immunosuppression caused by immunosuppressive therapy.

 

Prevention

Protect your skin by seeking shade when UVR is at its peak, wear protective clothing, a broad brimmed hat and  sunglasses. SPF30+ broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen needs to be applied to any skin that is not protected from the sun with clothing.

Also visit darksideoftanning.com.au for more information.

Detection and screening

A melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including places which do not receive frequent sun exposure. A melanoma is likely to have a similar appearance to a mole but unlike a mole, a melanoma will usually grow larger and become more irregular in shape and colour or bleed.

A skin check should be part of an annual check-up with your doctor. But if you notice changes in the shape, size or colour of a mole, speak to your doctor immediately.

Research

Around $25.3 million was spent on research into skin cancer, including melanoma, in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
Top of page