Fast facts about Melanoma
Melanoma is often referred to as ‘Australia’s National Cancer’. AMRF aims to reduce and prevent the incidence of melanoma in Australia if detected and removed early.
Please get a yearly skin check with a health professional.
- In 2021 it was estimated there would be 16,878 diagnoses of melanoma – close to one diagnosis every half hour.
- Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australian men and women.
- If detected early more than 90%of melanoma cases can be successfully treated with surgery.
- Australia has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world.
- Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians (20–39 year olds) but incidence for people over 60 is also high and increasing.
- In Australia, 1 person dies from melanoma every 6 hours .
- 95% of melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV radiation in sunlight.
- Melanoma rates doubled in the 20 years between 1986 and 2006 and continue to rise. By 2030 a further 14,000 Australians will die, while 205,000 will be diagnosed with the disease.
- Melanoma deaths exceed the road toll in Australia.
Through investment in research and prevention, combined with new approaches to early detection and adherence to clinical best practice, the prospect of drastically reducing the impact of melanoma on Australian communities in our lifetime is a real, attainable goal.
State of The Nation Report Feb 2022
Melanoma is the most severe type of skin cancer. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that make melanin, which gives the skin its colour.
What to look for
It is very important to check your skin regularly in order to detect any changes in the SIZE, COLOUR or SHAPE of a mole or skin lesion.
An easy way to detect potentially harmful moles or lesions is by using the ABCDE guidlines.
Yes. In fact, everyone is at risk, as we are all exposed to the sun. Due to variations in skin types, some people are more at risk than others.
Prevention
Your exposure to ultra violet (UV) light from the sun is one of the major risk factors for melanoma that you can control. UV levels are highest in summer, late spring and early autumn.
UV levels are not dependent on the temperature or cloud cover. A colder, cloudy day will still have high UV levels in summer. The following tips can help prevent melanoma…
Catching a melanoma in its early stages is one of the most important factors in improving the outcome of a melanoma diagnosis. It can literally SAVE A LIFE.
Why is catching it early so important?
Did you know...
AUSTRALIANS WHO WILL
BE DIAGNOSED WITH
MELANOMA DURING
THEIR LIFETIME
MEN WHO WILL BE
DIAGNOSED WITH
MELANOMA DURING
THEIR LIFETIME
WOMEN WHO WILL BE
DIAGNOSED WITH
MELANOMA DURING
THEIR LIFETIME
IN AUSTRALIA AFTER
PROSTATE & COLORECTAL CANCER (MEN), BREAST
& COLORECTAL
CANCER (WOMEN)