Melanoma skin cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C43 (Malignant neoplasm of skin).

New cases

Melanoma of the skin was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018. It is estimated that it will become the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2022.

In 2018, there were 15,346 new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed in Australia (8,941 males and 6,403 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 17,756 new cases of melanoma of the skin will be diagnosed in Australia (10,374 males and 7,382 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 17 (or 5.8%) risk of being diagnosed with melanoma of the skin by the age of 85 (1 in 14 or 6.9% for males and 1 in 21 or 4.7% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 54 cases per 100,000 persons (66 for males and 44 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 57 cases per 100,000 persons (69 for males and 47 for females). The incidence rate for melanoma of the skin is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for melanoma of the skin, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 3,541 (1,738 males and 1,803 females) in 1982 to 15,346 in 2018. 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 2018.

Deaths 

In 2020, melanoma of the skin was the tenth most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will become the eleventh most common cause of death from cancer in 2022.

In 2020, there were 1,401 deaths from melanoma of the skin in Australia (939 males and 462 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,281 deaths (825 males and 456 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 265 (or 0.38%) risk of dying from melanoma of the skin by the age of 85 (1 in 204 or 0.49% for males and 1 in 383 or 0.26% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 2.6 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.2 for males and 2.4 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 2020, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 1,401 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar from 4.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 3.2 for females) in 1982 to 4.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with melanoma of the skin had a 93% chance (92% for males and 95% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for melanoma of the skin improved from 90% to 93%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for melanoma of the skin, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2017, there were 14,584 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin that year, 62,881 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 207,943 people living who had been diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.