85+ Skin Cancer Statistics: Global, Gender, Death Rate, and Preventative Measures
85+ Skin Cancer Statistics:
Global, Gender, Death Rate, and Preventative Measures
Miriam Otero
18 min
May 17, 2024
Melanoma is the 17th most common cancer globally. Skin cancer is divided into melanoma and non-melanoma, with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent non-melanoma types. Estimating incidence is challenging due to various sub-types, incomplete registry tracking, and successful treatment leading to underreporting. As a result, global incidence estimates may be lower than reality.
Our skin kits combine skin analysis, treatment, and high-quality skincare products for healthier skin. At HAIR & SKIN, patients receive innovative treatments in modern clinics meeting Swiss quality standards. If you're in London, visit our new clinic at Westfield Mall for specialized products or dive into the latest statistics here.
Top 10 Skin Cancer Statistics
Melanoma remains uncommon in most African and Asian countries, with incidence rates typically less than 1 per 100,000 people. [Source: 6]
Melanoma is especially common in white men, affecting 34.7 out of every 100,000, compared to 22.1 per 100,000 in white women. [Source: 4]
A study found that people with more than 100 moles are seven times more likely to develop melanoma than those with fewer than 15. [Source: 4]
Getting five or more severe sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 raises the risk of melanoma by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer by 68%. [Source: 9]
Only 20-30% of melanomas develop in existing moles, while 70-80% appear on normal-looking skin. [Source: 10]
Mutations in the CDKN2A gene are uncommon in random cases but have been linked to about 30% of inherited melanomas. [Source: 4]
Melanoma cases are decreasing in teens and adults under 30. However, they are rising in older adults, especially those 80 and above. [Source: 9]
In 2024, around 8,290 people are expected to die from melanoma. Out of these, 5,430 will be men and 2,860 will be women. [Source: 10]
Melanoma is responsible for over 80% of skin cancer deaths. [Source: 4]
By the age of 80, men are three times more likely than women to get melanoma. [Source: 7]
Global Skin Cancer Statistics
Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer globally, with over 1.5 million new cases estimated for 2022. That year, around 330,000 new cases of melanoma were reported, and almost 60,000 people died from it. [Source:2] Melanoma rates vary significantly across different countries and regions, and it generally affects men more often than women in most regions.
Skin cancers are the most frequently diagnosed cancers globally, with over 1.5 million new cases estimated in 2020. [Source: 5]
Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer, with 42 cases per 100,000 men and 31 cases per 100,000 women. They are followed by Western Europe (19 cases for both men and women), North America (18 cases in men and 14 cases in women), and Northern Europe (17 cases in men and 18 cases in women). [Source: 6]
Melanoma remains uncommon in most African and Asian countries, with incidence rates typically less than 1 per 100,000 people. [Source: 6]
Based on global population trends, scientists estimate that by 2040, there could be over 500,000 new melanoma cases each year and nearly 100,000 deaths worldwide. [Source: 6]
Based on SEER data, melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers), with about 106,000 new cases estimated for 2021, making up 5.6% of all cancer cases. [Source: 4]
In the U.S., melanoma cases rose from 7.9 per 100,000 people in 1975 to 25.3 per 100,000 in 2018, increasing by more than 320%. [Source: 4]
A model in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that the crude incidence among white Americans was 31.0 from 2007 to 2011 and is expected to rise to 43.7 by 2027. [Source: 4]
During 1982 to 2011, skin cancer cases in the U.K. rose from 5.8 to 19.8, in Sweden from 13.0 to 28.3, and in Australia from 26.4 to 51.6. [Source: 4]
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. [Source: 9]
About 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. [Source: 9]
Approximately 4.9 million U.S. adults received treatment for skin cancer each year from 2007 to 2011, with an average yearly treatment cost of $8.1 billion. [Source: 9]
Treating nonmelanoma skin cancer in the U.S. costs about $4.8 billion each year. Treating melanoma costs about $3.3 billion annually. [Source: 9]
Researchers estimate that in 2013, there were about 34,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. due to sunburn, costing around $11.2 million. [Source: 9]
Over 2 people die from skin cancer every hour in the U.S. [Source: 10]
The number of new melanoma cases diagnosed in 2024 is expected to increase by 7.3%. [Source: 10]
In 2024, around 200,340 melanoma cases are expected in the U.S. Out of these, 99,700 will be noninvasive, affecting only the top skin layer. The remaining 100,640 will be invasive, reaching the second skin layer. Among the invasive cases, 59,170 will be men and 41,470 will be women. [Source: 10]
Over the past decade (2014 – 2024), the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed each year has increased by 32%. [Source: 10]
In the U.S., the average five-year survival rate for melanoma is 94%. If melanoma is found early, the five-year survival rate is over 99%. If it spreads to the lymph nodes, the rate drops to 74%, and if it reaches distant organs, it falls to 35%. [Source: 10]
Skin cancer is very common in some areas because of a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer. This is because they are close to the ozone hole over Antarctica, which means they get more harmful UV radiation. Many people in these countries have fair skin, which is more easily damaged by UV rays. Their active outdoor lifestyle also increases sun exposure.
Northern European countries like Norway and Denmark also have high rates of melanoma, even with less intense sun exposure. This is likely due to their large populations of fair-skinned individuals.
Skin Cancer Statistics by Demographics
Researchers have discovered another difference between men and women. Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer, impacts them differently. Men are more likely to die from melanoma than women, regardless of age. Young white men, including teenagers and young adults, are about twice as likely to die from melanoma as their female counterparts. [Source: 7]
Over a lifetime, men have a 0.42% risk of developing melanoma, while women have a 0.33% risk. [Source: 4]
Melanoma is especially common in white men, affecting 34.7 out of every 100,000, compared to 22.1 per 100,000 in white women. [Source: 4]
For comparison, the incidence rate was 1.0 for Black males, 0.9 for Black females, and 5.0 for both Hispanic males and females. The average age at diagnosis is 65, with 65.7% of cases occurring in people aged 55 to 84. [Source: 4]
A link has been found between an increased risk of melanoma and the total hours spent in tanning beds, the number of sessions, or the years of use.
Approximately 7.8 million women and 1.9 million men use tanning beds each year. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified tanning bed radiation as carcinogenic because it exposes users to higher levels of UVA and UVB radiation than daily sunlight in most regions. [Source: 4]
Indoor tanning among U.S. high school students dropped from 15.6% in 2009 to 7.3% in 2015. However, white, non-Hispanic young women still use tanning beds the most. [Source: 4]
A 2020 study in JAMA Dermatology found that prohibiting indoor tanning for people under 35 could prevent 448,000 cases of melanoma. [Source: 4]
Moles, also called nevi, are harmless clusters of pigment cells but can be early signs and indicators of a higher risk for melanoma.
A population-based study in the U.S. found that the yearly chance of a mole turning into melanoma ranges from 0.0005% for people under 40 to 0.003% for men over 60. [Source: 4]
People with more than 50 moles, unusual or large moles are at higher risk of melanoma. This also applies to people who are sensitive to the sun (like those who burn easily or have blonde or red hair) and those with a personal or family history of melanoma. [Source: 9]
A study found that people with more than 100 moles are seven times more likely to develop melanoma than those with fewer than 15. [Source: 4]
Only 20-30% of melanomas develop in existing moles, while 70-80% appear on normal-looking skin. [Source: 10]
Approximately 10% of melanoma patients have a family history of the condition, but only a few inherited syndromes, like congenital nevi and certain mutations, have been identified. [Source: 4]
Mutations in the CDKN2A gene are uncommon in random cases but have been linked to about 30% of inherited melanomas. [Source: 4]
Squamous cell carcinomas went up by 310% during this time, more than any other cancer tracked by the GBD. [Source: 8]
In 2017, men had higher rates of keratinocyte carcinoma at every age (P < .05). [Source: 8]
Up to age 50, women had more melanoma cases, but after that, men had more until age 85 in 2017. [Source: 8]
By the age of 50, men are more prone to melanoma than women. By age 65, this risk doubles, making men twice as likely as women to develop melanoma. [Source: 7]
By the age of 80, men are three times more likely than women to get melanoma. [Source: 7]
Melanoma seems to affect men more severely, possibly because men are less informed about skin cancer. [Source: 7]
Research shows that over 3 million Americans get nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, each year. [Source: 9]
Melanoma cases are decreasing in teens and adults under 30. However, they are rising in older adults, especially those 80 and above. [Source: 9]
Invasive melanoma rates decreased by about 1% per year from 2005 to 2018 in people under 50, after decades of increase. [Source: 9]
Melanoma occurs in over 33 out of 100,000 non-Hispanic White people each year. For Hispanic people, the rate is 4.5 per 100,000, and for non-Hispanic Black people, it's 1 per 100,000. [Source: 9]
In African American patients, 21% of melanoma cases are found when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Another 16% are diagnosed after it has spread to distant lymph nodes and other organs. [Source: 9]
It is estimated that 1 in 27 men and 1 in 40 women will get melanoma in their lifetime. [Source: 9]
Getting five or more severe sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 raises the risk of melanoma by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer by 68%. [Source: 9]
One out of every five Americans will get skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old. [Source: 10]
In 2024, around 8,290 people are expected to die from melanoma. Out of these, 5,430 will be men and 2,860 will be women. [Source: 10]
Melanoma makes up 6% of new cancer cases in men and 4% in women. [Source: 10]
Men aged 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer except for colon and rectum cancers. [Source: 10]
Women under 50 are more likely to develop melanoma than any cancer except breast and thyroid cancer. [Source: 10]
Indoor tanning at any point raises the risk of getting basal cell carcinoma by 69% before age 40. [Source: 10]
Women who have used indoor tanning are six times more likely to get melanoma in their 20s compared to those who haven't. The more they tan indoors, the higher their risk of melanoma at any age. [Source: 10]
A study of 63 women diagnosed with melanoma before age 30 found that 61 of them (97%) had used tanning beds. [Source: 10]
People who use a tanning bed before age 35 raise their risk of melanoma by 75%. [Source: 10]
The five-year survival rate for melanoma is only 71% for Black patients, compared to 94% for white patients. [Source: 10]
Melanomas in Black people, Asians, and Native Hawaiians usually develop on non-exposed skin with less pigment. Up to 60-75% of tumors appear on the palms, soles, mucous membranes, and around the nails. [Source: 10]
In nonwhite people, skin cancer often appears on the bottom of the foot, occurring in 30 to 40% of cases. [Source: 10]
Late-stage melanoma is diagnosed more often in Hispanic and Black people compared to non-Hispanic white people.
Among non-Hispanic Black patients, 52% are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and among Hispanic patients, 26% receive this diagnosis. In contrast, only 16% of non-Hispanic white patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. [Source: 10]
Melanoma in children and teenagers is rare in the United States, with about 300 cases each year in those under 20. [Source: 10]
Melanoma makes up 3% of all cancers in children and teens in the United States. [Source: 10]
With less knowledge, it's understandable that men are less likely to protect their skin from the sun. Women apply sunscreen more often than men and also use makeup and other cosmetics that offer SPF. This difference in sun protection might explain why melanoma affects men more severely.
However, sun protection alone doesn't fully explain these differences. Researchers believe the cause may lie in the differences between men's and women's skin. Men's skin is thicker and has less fat beneath it. It also contains more collagen and elastin, which give the skin firmness and tightness.
Our attractive skin kits combine skin analysis, skin treatment, and high-quality skin care products to create a powerful trio for beautiful skin.
Skin Cancer Death Rate Statistics
Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the bottom layer of the skin. These cells come from neural crest tissue and produce molecules that can help cancer spread after they become malignant. Although melanoma makes up just 1% of skin cancers, it causes more than 80% of skin cancer deaths. [Source: 4]
In 2023, nearly one-third of deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer were linked to working outdoors in the sun. [Source: 3]
The joint estimates show that in 2019, 1.6 billion people aged 15 or older worked outdoors and were exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation. This number represents 28% of the global working-age population. [Source: 3]
In 2019, nearly 19,000 people from 183 countries died of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by outdoor work in the sun. Most of them (65%) were men. [Source: 3]
In 2020, around 325,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed globally, and about 57,000 people died from it. [Source: 5]
IARC scientists estimate that between 2020 and 2040, new cases of cutaneous melanoma will rise by over 50%, exceeding 500,000 annually, while deaths from melanoma will increase by more than two-thirds, reaching nearly 100,000 per year. [Source: 5]
In the U.S., the death rate from skin cancer was 2.0 per 100,000 people in 2018, down from a peak of 2.8 per 100,000 in 2009. [Source: 4]
The skin cancer death rate among white men is 3.9 per 100,000 people, and for white women, it's 1.7. In comparison, it's 0.4 for Black men and 0.3 for Black women. [Source: 4]
In 2021, melanoma caused about 7,180 deaths in the U.S. The median age at death is 71, with 66% of those deaths occurring in people over 65. [Source: 4]
Melanoma is responsible for over 80% of skin cancer deaths. [Source: 4]
In the U.S., melanoma deaths among white people rose by 7.5% between 1986 and 2013. However, since 2011, the approval of 10 new targeted and immunotherapy treatments led to a 17.9% drop in overall mortality from 2013 to 2016. [Source: 4]
According to the ACS, sun exposure, along with tobacco, obesity, diet, alcohol, and certain viruses, contributes to the 45% of cancer deaths that are preventable. [Source: 4]
Melanoma death rates dropped sharply by almost 4% between 2014 and 2019. [Source: 9]
Melanoma deaths are expected to rise by 3.8% in 2024. [Source: 10]
A UK study found that around 86% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. [Source: 10]
Stage I melanoma patients treated 30 to 59 days after their biopsy have a 5% higher risk of dying compared to those treated within 30 days. If treated more than 119 days after the biopsy, the risk increases to 41%. [Source: 10]
Men aged 15 to 39 are 55% more likely to die from melanoma than women in that age group. [Source: 10]
“An inclusive and coordinated large-scale global response to fight cancer is overdue. Further delays will mean needless deaths, worsening inequities, and a failure to realize health, economic, and societal benefits.” Rifat Atun, Global Health Systems Expert, and Franco Cavalli, Medical Oncologist.
The global cancer burden is expected to rise by over 60% by 2040, increasing from 18.1 million new cases in 2018 to an estimated 29.4 million cases in 2040, due to population growth and aging. [Source: 12]
Cancer has become a major cause of death in recent decades. In 2016, it was the leading cause of death among people aged 30-69 in 55 high-income countries, and the second leading cause in 79 other countries, mainly behind cardiovascular disease. [Source: 12]
As cardiovascular death rates decline thanks to effective prevention and treatment, cancer is likely to become the main obstacle to increasing life expectancy this century.
Preventative Skin Cancer Measures
While many cases can be prevented, cutaneous melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and makes up about 1 in 5 skin cancers. [Source: 5]
To stay safe, avoid strong sunlight, especially in summer and between 11am and 3pm. [Source: 5]
Wear sunglasses with UV protection, loose long-sleeved clothes, and a wide-brimmed hat. [Source: 5]
Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and reapply it every two hours or as needed. [Source: 5]
A study found that using sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day, as directed, cuts the risk of melanoma by 50%. [Source: 10]
People should not use sunbeds. The IARC Monographs program labeled tanning devices that emit ultraviolet light as cancer-causing for humans. It found that starting to use these devices before age 30 raises the risk of skin cancer by 75%. [Source: 5]
Several randomized controlled trials have shown that using sunscreen regularly greatly reduces melanoma rates over time.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends avoiding the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. If you can't avoid it, wear hats and protective clothing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. [Source: 4]
The ACS advises completely avoiding artificial UV exposure like tanning beds. However, in a 2018 online survey of over 3,000 Americans, just 38.8% said they use sunscreen on their face, neck, and chest when out in the sun, and only 19.9% apply it to their entire exposed body. [Source: 4]
A study used national data from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine how sunscreen use, staying in the shade, and wearing long-sleeved shirts relate to skin cancer rates. The results were as follows:
Using sunscreen was significantly linked to a lower rate of skin cancer (OR = 3.752; p < 0.05). [Source: 11]
However, wearing long-sleeved shirts (OR = 6.911; p = 0.064) and staying in the shade (OR = 0.646; p = 0.481) were not significantly associated with a lower rate of skin cancer after considering factors like gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, income, health insurance, and general health. [Source: 11]
Since UV light exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, we at HAIR&SKIN advise everyone to avoid indoor tanning beds and protect their skin outdoors. This includes seeking shade, wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection, and applying broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to exposed skin.
We also recommend trying our skin kits, which offer a holistic treatment approach tailored to different skin types, whether you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin.
Facial hair trends have shifted toward greater acceptance of beards and mustaches, with more men and women favoring them over a clean-shaven look. Younger women prefer beards, though upkeep remains crucial, as well-groomed facial hair is more attractive. This change reflects evolving standards of masculinity and grooming.
Frequently asked questions
What causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer encompasses a series of different tumors with various causes. While sun exposure is a significant risk factor, other factors can also contribute.
If you’re wondering whether you’ll get cancer from sun exposure, it’s essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays by using sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure. [Source: 1]
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose skin cancer, the doctor will perform a physical examination to inspect the size, shape, colour and texture of the area in question and also check if it bleeds or forms a crust. They will also examine the rest of your body to see if there are any moles (nevi) or other blemishes that could be related to the skin cancer. Furthermore, they may examine your lymph nodes (small nodules of immune cells about the size of a bean) located beneath the skin on your neck, armpits or groin. [Source: 1]
How is skin cancer treated?
Skin cancer is treated in different ways according to tumour type, location on the body, size and other factors. Fortunately, many of them are resolved with minor surgery under local anaesthesia. And others require more complex surgery and can leave significant scars which may represent an aesthetic problem, particularly when on the face.
Another, highly effective treatment is radiotherapy and skin tumours can sometimes be treated with procedures such as cryosurgery or laser surgery.
There are further procedures, e.g., photodynamic therapy, which destroys the tumour with a light, and therapy with imiquimod, which is a topical product that is applied directly over the tumour to activate an antitumour immune response. In the case of more advanced cancers, patients must be treated with medicines, such as immunotherapy treatments or chemotherapy. [Source: 1]
If I have cancer, I can never expose myself to the sun?
If you have or have had skin cancer, you can still enjoy the sun in the same safe manner as everyone else. Therefore you do not have to avoid the sun, which is impractical and harmful, but rather only expose yourself safely. This includes following recommendations for healthy habits such as taking into account the time of day and year, and the use of suitable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreens. [Source: 1]
What is dermoscopy?
During the clinical examination the doctors will use a technique called dermoscopy. It is a test used to perform a direct, and painless, examination of the skin by observing the tumour’s structure. Source: 1]
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/fd3ff32bd8/melanoma-skin-cancer-incidence-rates.png)
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/a4614f6dc2/melanoma-skin-cancer-incidence-rates-among-men-and-women.png)
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/18ff9f5245/melanoma-skin-cancer-incidence-rates-among-men-and-women.png)
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/76efca77ce/number-of-new-skin-cancer-cases-in-the-us-in-2024-by-gender.png)
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/b87f8d6fce/new-cancer-deaths-in-2024-and-the-of-all-cancer-deaths.png)
:quality(75)/f/249249/1200x800/3d1185acef/results-from-study-participants-who-haddidn-t-have-skin-cancer-and-used-preventative-measures.png)