According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 106,110 individuals (62,260 men and 43,850 women) will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States in 2021, and approximately 7180 individuals (4600 men and 2580 women) will die from the disease.1 The risk for developing melanoma increases as individuals get older, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years.1 However, it is also one of the most common cancers diagnosed in young adults, particularly in women aged <29 years.1,2 Although melanoma accounts for only 1% of all skin cancer diagnoses, it is responsible for a large majority of skin cancer deaths.1 How much do you know about melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes begin to grow out of control.1 It can appear on the skin suddenly without warning but may also develop within an existing mole.1 The risk for being diagnosed with melanoma is 20 times higher in Caucasians than African Americans, with lifetime risks of 2.6% in whites, 0.1% in blacks, and 0.6% in Hispanics.1 The overall 5-year relative survival rate for patients with melanoma is 93%: 99% for localized, 66% for regional, and 27% for distant disease.1 Public awareness of this disease needs to remain a priority to increase survival rates and improve patient quality of life.
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