• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
MiiSkin
  • THE APP
    • EXPLORE THE APP
    • APP GUIDE
    • IS MIISKIN FOR ME?
    • PREMIUM & PRICING
    • AUTOMATIC SKIN IMAGING
    • SKIN MAPPING
    • SECURITY
    • USER STORIES
    • FAQ
  • FOR PROVIDERS
    • PATIENT LEAFLETS
    • MIISKIN PRO
    • WHITEPAPER: THE FUTURE OF SKIN MONITORING
    • WHITEPAPER: IMPLEMENTING TELEDERMATOLOGY
  • ARTICLES
    • SKIN CANCER
    • MELANOMA
    • MOLES
    • DERMATOLOGY
  • ABOUT
    • JON’S STORY
    • ABOUT MIISKIN
    • PRESS & MEDIA
    • PARTNERS
    • CONTACT
  • OPEN WEB COMPARE
Home / Melanoma / Melanoma Facts

Facts About Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

Facts on melanoma rates in countries affected by skin cancer and where skin cancer usually starts on the body.

Created by Dr Nitin Shori


  • Share:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Linkedin
  • Permalink

Non-melanoma skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in the UK and across the world.

According to the UK’s NHS statistics, there are over 100,000 new skin cancer diagnoses each year in the UK and the incidence worldwide is increasing each year.

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year(7) with 80 percent of these being basal cell cancers.

skin cancer world map
woman using miiskin

Monitoring Your Moles

Spotting a subtle skin change is tricky. Use Miiskin to keep track.

GET STARTED

Skin Cancer Facts: How Common Is Melanoma Skin Cancer in the World?

Melanoma is often used synonymously with the term skin cancer and the vast majority of melanoma cases do involve the skin.

However, in medical terms, it is defined as cancer that originates from melanocytes which are pigmented (coloured) cells. This means that melanoma can also appear in the gut, nails, and eyes

(1)Across Europe, Melanoma of the skin was the seventh most common cause of new cancer in 2018,(2) whereas, across the world, melanoma was the 20th most common new cancer diagnosis.

It is possible that variations in UV light exposure, our daily activity patterns, and working lives may explain why there are differences in the rates of melanoma globally.

Rates of melanoma are highest in more developed regions (North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand – with the highest being in Australia and New Zealand), and it is possible that better awareness of the condition in a sophisticated health care system leads to more patients seeking advice on a concerning skin mark and subsequent diagnosis.(5)

Melanoma Skin Cancer Rates by Country

  • In 2018, there were over 140,000 new cases of melanoma of the skin across Europe (accounting for almost
    3.5% of all cancer diagnoses in 2018.(2)
  • Over the next twenty years, by the year 2040, it is predicted that the incidence of new melanoma cases
    will rise by 12%.(3)
  • Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands had the highest rates in 2018.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates that around 97,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2019

  • At 12.7 cases per 100,000 people, the rate of melanomas in the US was less than half of that in Australia at 33.6.(6)
  • It is estimated that 81.7% of melanoma cases in 2012 in Europe were attributable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.(4)
  • We are exposed to UV light either from the sun or other sources such as tanning devices.

Minimising our exposure to UV light, for example by wearing a high factor sun protection factor (SPF), can help to reduce the risk of developing all skin cancers – including melanoma.

  • The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that those who use tanning beds (sun beds) before the age of thirty may be as much as 75% more likely to develop malignant melanoma.

Read what the other risk factors for melanoma are.

READ MORE ABOUT:

Melanoma Education

  • Melanoma Symptoms
  • Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics
  • Overview of Melanoma Pictures
  • What is the difference between an atypical mole and melanoma?

Mobile Apps
& Health

  • What is Mole Mapping?
  • 6 Innovative Dermatology Apps
  • What is Skin Mapping?
  • Should Mobile Apps Be Used to Detect Skin Cancer?

Where Does Skin Cancer Start on the Body?

Basal cell skin cancers and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer and most likely to appear in sun-exposed areas. These skin cancer images can give you a clue of what the most common types of skin cancer might look like.

Where Does Melanoma Usually Start?

There are sites which are more commonly affected and it is particularly important to monitor changes in these areas.

woman back

For women, the legs are the most commonly affected site whereas men are most commonly affected on their backs. A quarter of melanomas start in existing moles hence the need to closely monitor any moles that you have – especially abnormal, irregular and atypical moles.

See this extensive melanoma photo gallery for examples of how melanoma can look like but remember to see your doctor if you are in doubt.

How Quickly Can Melanoma Appear?

Melanoma can slowly develop over years or can arise from a sudden change in the skin or a previous mole. The time for any changes to become obvious will vary depending on the exact site and surrounding skin.

It is recommended to perform skin self-exams on a regular basis in order to identify any suspicious changes to the skin which could be a warning sign of skin cancer.

Read more about melanoma signs and symptoms in our guide on the early signs of melanoma.

Make a difference. Share this article.

  • Share:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Linkedin
  • Permalink

Read More:

Melanoma ribbon What does skin cancer look like?

Signs on skin to look after What signs on my skin should I be aware of?

Smartphone app Can a smartphone app diagnose me for skin cancer?

Early signs of melanoma What are the early signs of melanoma?

Skin cancer overview Skin cancer – general overview

What can melanoma look like What can melanoma look like?

Benign mole look What does a normal benign mole look like?

Melanoma skin cancer risk What is basal cell carcinoma and how does it look like?

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips

  • Check Your Skin
  • How to Use a Mobile App to Track Changes in Your Skin?

Compare mole images over time

Monitor your moles for changes with Miiskin Premium

  • Monitor your moles for changes using close-up photos.
  • Monitor for any new spots on your skin as whole.
  • Photos are securely backed up aside from phone’s gallery.
  • Examine your photo series side by side on a big screen.
  • Automatic Skin Mapping to highlight moles and marks.

You can try Miiskin Premium 30 days for free. Don’t worry, if you cancel within the trial period you won’t be charged.

START FREE TRIAL
DOWNLOAD NOW

Learn more

MiiSkin App Logo

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

App Store Moles App

Google Play Moles App

Skin cancer and prevention

Melanoma Pictures – Walktrough

Guide: Skin cancer signs to look for

Guide: Common melanoma signs

Skin Cancer Pictures – Overview

Guide: Moles (Nevi)

Dermatology Apps – General view

Service

Miiskin Premium

Miiskin PRO

Frequently Asked Questions

Help & Support

Educational Content Information

About Privacy and Security

Company

About Miiskin

Jon’s story

Advisors

Press & Media

Partners

Contact

Terms of Service · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Miiskin © 2021Skin Health AllianceMiiskin Partners