Melanoma Awareness Month 2022

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is marking the beginning of Melanoma Awareness Month by highlighting the burden of this highly preventable disease, warning of the huge increases in melanoma cases and deaths that will occur if individuals and governments do not take action, and reminding people that tanned skin is a sign of sun damage – there is no such thing as a healthy tan.

In 2020, an estimated 325 000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed worldwide and about 57 000 people died from the disease. IARC scientists predict that from 2020 to 2040 the number of new cases of cutaneous melanoma will increase by more than 50%, to more than 500 000 per year, and the number of deaths caused by melanoma will increase by more than two thirds, to almost 100 000 per year.

Although many cases are avoidable, cutaneous melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and accounts for approximately 1 in 5 skin cancers. Skin cancers are the most common groups of cancers diagnosed worldwide, with more than 1.5 million new cases estimated in 2020.

Preventive measures include avoiding strong, direct sunlight, particularly in the summer months and between 11:00 and 15:00; wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet protection, loose clothing with long sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat; and using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and reapplying it regularly as activities require, at least every 2 hours.

Individuals should avoid using sunbeds. The IARC Monographs programme classified ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans and estimated that the risk of cutaneous melanoma is increased by 75% when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30 years.

In most world regions, melanoma occurs more frequently in men than in women. In 2020, the highest incidence rates were observed in Australia and New Zealand, followed by Western Europe, Northern America, and Northern Europe. Melanoma continues to be rare in most countries in Africa and Asia. Although individuals with fairer skin types are at higher risk, skin cancer affects people with all skin types. Individuals with darker skin types can develop skin cancer, and cancers in these individuals are often detected at a later stage, when the prognosis is worse.

Learn more about reducing your cancer risk due to solar and ultraviolet radiation

Read the article “Global burden of cutaneous melanoma in 2020 and projections to 2040”

Read IARC Press Release 311 about the article