Skin cancer epidemiology: the scale of the problem

In UK, around 9000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed annually and, although mortality rates are relatively low, they account for 80% of skin cancer deaths with incidence rising rapidly (Cancer Research UK, 2004, 2009c; Royal College of Physicians [RCP], 2007). Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is relatively common (approximately 100,000 cases/year (Cancer Research UK, 2009b).

Placed within a policy context, the Department of Health (DH) aims to reduce by 20% the number of deaths from cancer in people below 75 years by 2010 (Department of Health, 2000, 2007). Half of all cancers may be prevented by promoting awareness and changes in lifestyle (DH, 2007); for skin cancer, this is a priority (Health Development Agency, 2002). The new government’s National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative supports local interventions to raise public awareness of cancer and seek help sooner (Cancer Research UK, 2009d).

Melanoma is a cancer which affects all adult age groups. Incidence rates are highest in people over 75 years, and whilst rare in young people; it is the second most common cancer diagnosed in 20–39 year olds (Cancer Research UK, 2009c). Men and women are often equally affected, but in some countries a slight female preponderance is seen (Karim-Kos et al., 2008).


The incidence of melanoma is small compared to other cancers, with 9,583 new cases recorded in the UK in 2005 (Cancer Research UK, 2009a) but large increases have occurred over the last few decades. The number of people living with melanoma in the UK, known as the prevalence, is estimated to be between 24,500 and 31,000 (Forman et al., 2003). Knowing the prevalence of a disease is important when planning future resources. A substantial number of deaths occur in younger people. It is predicted that the incidence of melanoma will continue to rise steeply, yet mortality rates will remain the same (Mackie, 2003).