Melanoma is a very common cancer in Western countries; it represents about 10% of skin cancers and 1% of all cancers. Throughout the world, melanoma affects approximately 7 people per 100 000, killing about 48.000, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that 39,080 men and 29,640 women (68,720 men and women) were diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in 2009; nearly 8,650 people died of the disease.
The incidence of melanoma varies with age. From 2002-2006, the median age at diagnosis for melanoma of the skin was 59 years of age. Ages and percentages of people diagnosed during that period (2002-2006) were approximately:
- 0.9% under age 20;
- 7.8% between 20 and 34;
- 12.4% between 35 and 44;
- 18.9% between 45 and 54;
- 19.8% between 55 and 64;
- 17.7% between 65 and 74;
- 16.8% between 75 and 84;
- 5.7% 85+ years of age.
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