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 2020
16,221 = 
9,480 males + 
6,741 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
11%
Estimated number of deaths from melanoma of the skin in 2020
1,375 = 891 males + 484 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2020
2.9%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
92%
People living with melanoma of the skin at the end of 2015 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2011 to 2015)
57,395
New cases
Melanoma of the skin was the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2016. It is estimated that it will be the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.
In 2016, there were 14,485 new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed in Australia (8,455 males and 6,030 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 16,221 new cases of melanoma of the skin will be diagnosed in Australia (9,480 males and 6,741 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 54 cases per 100,000 persons (65 for males and 44 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 54 cases per 100,000 persons (66 for males and 44 for females). The incidence rate for melanoma of the skin is expected to increase with age.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for melanoma of the skin, 1982 to 2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 14,485 in 2016. 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 2016.
Deaths
Melanoma of the skin was the 9th most common cause of death in Australia in 2018. It is estimated that it will be the 10th most common cause of death in 2020.
In 2018, there were 1,429 deaths from melanoma of the skin in Australia (965 males and 464 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,375 deaths (891 males and 484 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.0 for males and 2.9 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.1 for males and 2.8 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 2018, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 1,429 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons in 1982 (6.4 for males and 3.2 for females) and remained at 4.7 in 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with melanoma of the skin had a 92 % chance (90% for males and 94% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for melanoma of the skin improved from 88% to 92%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival from melanoma skin cancer, 1986–1990 to 2011–2015, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2015, there were 13,456 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin that year, 57,395 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 191,270 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).
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.
