Melanoma Rates Have Risen 250% Since 1973
Rates of melanoma have increased by 250% among younger individuals since 1973, and young women appear to be at the greatest risk, according to research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 51st Annual Meeting.
In their study, researchers examined 35,726 reported cases of melanoma in individuals younger than 40 years old, between 1973 and 2011.
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Overall, 98% of the cases were among adolescents and young adults (age 15-39 years), and women comprised 57% and 65.2% of cases from 1973-1980 and 2001-2011, respectively. Researchers suggested that the higher rates among young girls may be attributed to an increase in the risky use of tanning beds, popular among this demongraphic.
Further, the proportion of early-stage, noninvasive melanoma cases rose from 4% to 20% from 1980 to 2011, and survival rates rose from 80% to 95% during the same period.
“Given the epidemic rise of melanoma cases diagnosed among children, adolescents and young adults, it is imperative that new research initiatives are implemented, genetic and environmental risk factors identified, and effective prevention and screening strategies employed,” they concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Mitsis DKL, Groman A, Beaupin LM, et al. Trends in demographics, incidence, and survival in children, adolescents and young adults (aya) with melanoma: a surveillance, epidemiology and end results (seer) population-based analysis. Paper presented at: The American Society of Clinical Oncology 51st Annual Meeting; June 1; Chicago, IL.