Skin Cancer in the ACT

Healthy Canberra - Chief Health Officer's Report 2018 lists melanoma skin cancer as the 3rd most diagnosed cancer among males and females. The average number of melanomas diagnosed in Canberra each year between 2009-2013 was 133. 

To keep up to date with current cancer (and other health) trends and stats in the ACT visit HealthStats ACT.

Melanoma has a high incidence and prevalence in the ACT. 

In 2015 there were 173 new cases diagnosed in ACT residents (55% in males and 45% in females). The age-standardised incidence rate in 2015 was 44.9 cases per 100,000 people (51.8 for males and 38.9 for females) compared to 50.6 per 100,000 people for Australia in 2014 (62.1 for males and 40.9 for females (HealthStats ACT). 

A significant difference in mortality rates between males and females was also recorded, with females being lower. This may be due to the tendency of men tending to seek medical attention in the later course of the disease more then women, therefore decreasing their chances of survival. Of the 71 recorded melanoma deaths in the ACT between 2004 and 2008, 53 (or 75%) were males. Of these male deaths, over 80% occurred in men over the age of 45.  

The risk to 75 years of dying from melanoma was one in 161 males and one in 779 females in the ACT  (with one in 96 males and one in 395 females in the ACT before the age of 85 years old). As for most cancers, incidence and mortality of melanoma increased with age. Diagnosis of melanoma before the age of 20 is uncommon, with five (5) cases recorded in the ACT between 2004-2008. Incidence rates (per 100,000) for melanoma in the ACT were higher among females up until the age of 45, however after 45, there is a swing and male incident rates become higher, especially with older age.  

Cases of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) are not routinely reported in the ACT cancer registry (or in most states) however figures are obtained from population based surveys. In 2014 there were close to 1 million cases (number of paid Medicare services, not people) of non melanoma skin cancers treated each year in Australia, this figure is set to climb further before it declines.

To keep up to date with current cancer (and other health) trends and stats in the ACT visit HealthStats ACT.