International trends in the incidence of malignant melanoma 1953–2008—are recent generations at higher or lower risk?

Abstract

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma has steadily increased over the past 50 years in predominately fair‐skinned populations. This increase is reported to have leveled off recently in several Northern and Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand and in North America. We studied the global patterns and time trends in incidence of melanoma by country and sex, with a focus on and age‐ and cohort‐specific variations. We analyzed the incidence data from 39 population‐based cancer registries, examining all‐ages and age‐truncated standardized incidence rates of melanoma, estimating the annual percentage change and incidence rate ratios from age‐period‐cohort models. Incidence rates of melanoma continue to rise in most European countries (primarily Southern and Eastern Europe), whereas in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, Israel and Norway, rates have become rather stable in recent years. Indications of a stabilization or decreasing trend were observed mainly in the youngest age group (25–44 years). Rates have been rising steadily in generations born up to the end of the 1940s, followed by a stabilization or decline in rates for more recently born cohorts in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada and Norway. In addition to the birth cohort effect, there was a suggestion of a period‐related influence on melanoma trends in certain populations. Although our findings provide support that primary and secondary prevention can halt and reverse the observed increasing burden of melanoma, they also indicate that those prevention measures require further endorsement in many countries.

Prognostic instrument for survival outcome in melanoma patients: based on data from the population-based Swedish Melanoma Register

“…The CMM incidence is also quite similar between these regions (24). This indicates that our prognostic instrument probably could be valid for patients in all these countries and regions.…”

Country of origin, age at migration and risk of cutaneous melanoma: A migrant cohort study of 1,100,000 Israeli men

“…Thus, age at immigration was strongly associated with the risk of CM, independent of birth cohort, and anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics. We did not find differences in anatomical distribution or morphology by origin 26 The authors concluded that their findings provide support that primary prevention can halt and reverse the trend of an increasing burden of melanoma. They also indicate that such prevention measures require further endorsement in many countries.…”

Prevention: Lessons from a sunburnt country

“…"The resources we have put into stopping smoking, drunk driving or AIDS have never been put into skin cancer," says Hillhouse. In the United Kingdom, where rising skin-cancer rates are thought to be driven by the popularity of cheap overseas travel and indoor tanning 1,11 , the charity Cancer Research UK has run a prevention campaign for the past decade. It is based on Australia's SunSmart brand but the investment has only been "very small" in comparison, says Sinclair.…”

“…A 2013 study shows that, in addition to Australia, a handful of countries -notably New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Norway, the Czech Republic (for women) and the United States (for white men) -have melanoma rates that are declining or stabilizing among young people 1 . "Very slowly we seem to be turning the tide, " says Green.…”

“…With its high solar ultraviolet levels and predominantly fair-skinned population, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. But after decades of increase, the melanoma rate began to plateau in the mid 1990s 1 . The incidence of melanoma among young people is now falling 1,2 , as national surveys show that most Australians -more than 70% of adults and 55% of adolescents -no longer prefer a tan 3 .…”