Why Is This Important?

Cancer of the skin is by far the most common of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. Most melanoma of the skin is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Whites have age-adjusted incidence rates that are more than 15 times higher than Blacks. People with light complexions have the highest risk of melanoma of the skin.

Definition

Incidence rate of invasive melanoma of the skin for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.

Data Notes

• Data have been age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.
• Incidence rates (cases per 100,000 population per year) are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ..., 80-84, 85+). Rates are for invasive cancer only (except for bladder cancer which is invasive and in situ) or unless otherwise specified. Number of cases (numerator) is the total count of cases in five years.

Data Sources

• SEER*Stat, National Center Institute
  (https://www.seer.cancer.gov/seerstat)
• Bridged-race population estimates, National Cancer Institute
  (https://seer.cancer.gov/popdata/)

How the Measure is Calculated

• Numerator:

  Number of new cases of melanoma of the skin among a defined population in a specified time interval.

• Denominator:

  Defined population in a specified time interval.

Related Health Objectives and Indicators

Health Care System Factors

Risk Factors

Related Risk Factors Indicators:

• Sunburn Prevalence

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:

• Deaths due to Melanoma of the Skin

Health Topic Pages Related to: Incidence of Melanoma of the Skin

• Cancer