Summary
Cutaneous melanoma remains a challenge despite increased levels of awareness, education
and targeted health policies. Worldwide incidence rates for cutaneous melanoma have
risen faster than those for any other malignancy in Caucasian populations over the
last 30 years.
Despite improving survival rates (defined as the ratio of those who survive the disease
against incidence) over this period, mortality rates, generally, have continued to
climb. Mortality from melanoma is greater than that caused by all other types of skin
cancer, especially in men. In Britain the percentage of increase in the male age standardised
mortality rate surpassed that of all other malignancies assessed (1993–2002) by Cancer
Research UK.
A literature-based study was conducted with review of publications identified through
Medline and EMBase, 1980–December 2005, databases.
We present a review of the current literature on incidence, mortality and survival
rates of melanoma including a discussion on the aetiological factors, behaviour modification
associated with public education campaigns and recent health policies and the effect
these are having on melanoma figures.
It is likely that any fall in mortality rates from melanoma in the near future will
be secondary to early detection. Changes resulting from primary prevention are unlikely
to be noticeable for several decades.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 10, 2006
Accepted:
May 2,
2006
Received:
March 16,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
