- Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer
- In 2020 it is estimated that 16,221 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma and more than 1,375 are expected to die from advanced melanoma
- One person every five hours will die from melanoma in Australia
- Melanoma makes up 2% of all skin cancers, but is responsible for 75% of skin cancer deaths
- If detected early more than 90% of melanoma cases can be successfully treated with surgery
- Australia and New Zealand have the highest melanoma rates in the world
- Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians (15–39 year olds) but incidence for people over 60 is also high and increasing
- 1 in 17 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma before the age of 85
- Most melanomas are caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to UV radiation in sunlight
- Melanoma rates doubled in the 20 years from 1986–2006 and continue to rise
- Melanoma is projected to become the third most common cancer in Australia by the year 2020, replacing lung cancer, bowel cancer, breast and prostate cancer (AIHW incidence projections)
- Recent treatment developments provide genuine hope for those with melanoma.
Phone
1300 884 450
info@melanomapatients.org.au
PO Box 308
Varsity Lakes, QLD, 4227
Varsity Lakes, QLD, 4227
