Melanoma

Latest figures from the National Cancer Registry Ireland show that more than 1,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in Ireland annually.1

Cases of melanoma have almost trebled in the last 20 years.1,2 While cases have increased, thankfully so have survival rates; now, almost 9 in 10 (90%) of patients survive for at least five years after their diagnosis.1,2

However, Ireland still has the highest mortality rate in Europe for melanoma2, with, on average, 159 people dying from this disease annually.1

The rise in melanomas has affected men more than women, with incidence rates in men rising 125% higher in the past 20 years, compared to a 54% increase among women over the same period.2

Melanoma incidence occurs in both younger and older age groups, with approximately 1 in 4 cases diagnosed in the under 50 population with the remaining cases in the over 50 age group.1

  1. National Cancer Registry of Ireland, Melanoma Fact Sheet, 2018, Last Accessed September, 2021, from Factsheet melanoma.pdf (ncri.ie)
  2. National Cancer Registry of Ireland, Cancer trends No. 34 – skin cancer 2017, Last Accessed October, 2021, from  Trends report skin cancer final180717.pdf (ncri.ie)