Trends In Melanoma Mortality Research Articles

Patterns and trends in melanoma mortality in Spain (1999-2022).

To examine melanoma mortality trends in Spanish Autonomous Communities from 1999 to 2022, focusing on gender and age differences. Data from the National Statistics Institute were used to calculate age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs). Joinpoint regression identified trend changes. Melanoma mortality varied significantly by region, gender, and age. Eastern Spain had higher male mortality, while western regions had lower rates. Asturias had higher female mortality, with lower rates in Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha. Men generally exhibited higher ASMRs than women, with variations across regions. While ASMRs remained stable in most areas, Madrid experienced a notable decline (AAPC: - 1.3%). A national trend reversal occurred in 2014 (AAPC: - 1.3%). For individuals aged 45-74 years, Catalonia saw a significant decrease (AAPC: - 1.1%, p < 0.05), whereas Andalusia experienced an increase (APC: 2.1% since 2007). Nationally, ASMRs for this age group declined (AAPC: - 0.7%). Among those aged 75 years and over, ASMRs varied considerably, with increases observed in Andalusia and Aragon. Nationally, male ASMRs rose (AAPC: 1.6% per year), while female rates were stable. Regional disparities were evident, with higher female mortality in the Balearic Islands and fluctuating rates in the Community of Madrid (an increase followed by a decrease after 2015). The gender gap in mortality varied across regions, with some areas showing a narrowing gap and others widening disparities. Continuous monitoring of melanoma mortality, especially among men and older adults, is crucial. Public health efforts should address regional disparities, improve early detection, and enhance treatment access to optimize outcomes nationwide.

Patterns and trends in melanoma mortality in the United States, 1999–2020

IntroductionMelanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has witnessed a notable increase in incidence over the past decades. Despite advancements in treatment, it remains a significant cause of cancer mortality. Understanding demographic trends and variations in melanoma mortality is crucial for addressing disparities and implementing effective interventions.MethodsUsing the Centers for Disease Control Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, we analyzed melanoma mortality data in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Data were stratified by demographic and regional variables, and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated. Descriptive analysis was performed and Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to identify temporal trends.ResultsBetween 1999 and 2020, there were 184,416 melanoma-related deaths in the United States Overall, the age-adjusted mortality rate declined from 2.7 to 2.0 per 100,000 people at a rate of -1.3% annually, with significant variations across demographic groups and regions. Men, non-Hispanic White individuals, and those aged > 65 experienced higher mortality rates. Non-Hispanic White individuals noted the steepest decrease in AAMR after 2013 at a rate of -6.1% annually. Disparities were seen by geographic density, with rural populations exhibiting higher mortality compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.ConclusionThe study highlights a significant reduction in melanoma mortality in the U.S. since 2013, potentially attributed to advancements in diagnostic techniques such as dermoscopy and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Disparities persist, particularly among rural populations. Targeted interventions focusing on increased screening and education are warranted to further mitigate melanoma mortality and address demographic disparities.

Differential time series analysis shows deceleration in melanoma mortality prior to the widespread use of highly effective therapies

Although the recent drop in melanoma mortality has been attributed to the introduction of newer therapies, the impact of ongoing public efforts remains unknown. Characterize and model melanoma mortality trends before the era of molecular and immune therapies (1969-2014) in the U.S. and Australia. Differential time series analysis based on population-ascertained melanoma mortality rates from the U.S. and Australia. Mortality rates were modeled and compared to the trajectories of ten other cancers. Melanoma mortality rates have been significantly decelerating since the 1970s in both the U.S. (P<.0001) and Australia (P=.0021). Zero acceleration occurred around 2001 (95% CI: 1996, 2008) for the U.S. and 2004 (95% CI: 1999, 2011) for Australia. Male mortality rates decelerated 3x-4x faster than females in both countries. Melanoma mortality followed a similar quadratic function (R2>0.9) to 10 other cancers, albeit with a later inflection point (1986 vs 2001) and broader focal width. Absolute mortality data used without further stratification or considering cancer incidence or covariates. Melanoma deaths have been decelerating for the past 5decades, reaching an inflection point around 2001, suggesting that mitigating campaigns were already afoot in both the U.S. and Australia before the advent of modern therapies.

Trends in Melanoma Mortality in Serbia: A 22-Year Population-Based Study.

We aimed to investigating the sex-specific and age-specific melanoma mortality trends observed on the territory of Serbia between 2000 and 2021. This population-based study used data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia database during the period 2000-2021. The calculation of the gender and age-standardized rates (ASR) was performed. We used a regression analysis complete with linear trend model. The mean ASR was 1.77 per 100,000 people, meaning that male mortality rates (2.24 per 100,000) was higher than female mortality rates (1.34 per 100,000). During the observation period, a rising trend in mortality from melanoma skin cancer was reported. Observed by gender, the change of melanoma mortality trend was significant in men (P=0.021), but not in women (P=0.747). The annual growth rate of ASRs values was 1.43%. A increase in the melanoma mortality rate was observed since 2000 by 2.44% annually in males and by 2.79% annually in females. Mortality rates were increasing in both sexes as they aged, and the greatest number of deaths was recorded in the group of those aged 80 yr or above (16.25 per 100,000 for men; 10.45 per 100,000 for women). Our study findings underline the importance of launching more effective public health awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of melanoma and its symptoms' detection along with establishing a diagnosis at an early stage of the disease, especially among male patients and those at an advanced age.

Melanoma Mortality Trends in 28 European Countries: A Retrospective Analysis for the Years 1960–2020

In 2020, in 27 European Union (EU) Member States, melanoma accounted for 4% of all new cancer cases and 1.3% of all cancer deaths, making melanoma the fifth most common malignancy and placing it in the 15 most frequent causes of cancer deaths in the EU-27. The main aim of our study was to investigate melanoma mortality trends in 25 EU Member States and three non-EU countries (Norway, Russia, and Switzerland) in a broad time perspective (1960-2020) in a younger (45-74 years old) vs. older age group (75+). We identified melanoma deaths defined by ICD-10 codes C-43 for individuals aged 45-74 and 75+ years old between 1960-2020 in 25 EU Member States (excluding Iceland, Luxembourg, and Malta) and in 3 non-EU countries-Norway, Russia, and Switzerland. Age-standardized melanoma mortality rates (ASR) were computed using the direct age-standardization for Segi's World Standard Population. To determine melanoma-mortality trends with 95% confidence intervals (CI), Joinpoint regression was applied. Our analysis used the Join-point Regression Program, version 4.3.1.0 (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA). Regardless of the considered age groups, in all investigated countries, in general, melanoma standardized mortality rates were higher for men than women. Considering the age group 45-74, the highest number of countries was characterized by decreasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes-14 countries. Contrarily, the highest representation of countries in the age group 75+ was connected with increasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes-26 countries. Moreover, considering the older age group-75+-there was no country with a decreasing melanoma mortality in both sexes. Investigated melanoma-mortality trends vary in individual countries and age groups; however, a highly concerning phenomenon-increasing melanoma-mortality rates in both sexes-was observed in 7 countries for the younger age group and in as many as 26 countries for the older age group. There is a need for coordinated public-health actions to address this issue.

Trends in Melanoma Mortality in Brazil: A Registry-Based Study.

PURPOSEA substantial increase in melanoma incidence has been consistently observed worldwide over the past decades. However, melanoma mortality rates have remained stable or declined over the past years in most regions. Given the paucity of melanoma mortality data for different Brazilian regions, we sought to describe melanoma mortality trends in southeastern Brazil and their relationship with demographic variables.MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional registry-based analysis was conducted to describe melanoma mortality trends in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 1996 to 2016. Demographic information from melanoma-related death records, including sex and age, was collected from the Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados database. The annual percentage change (APC) was calculated to identify mortality trends over the period.RESULTSAn increasing melanoma mortality trend was detected among males, regardless of age (APC, 1.72%; P < .001), and was more pronounced for men ≥ 60 years old (APC, 2.63%; P < .001). Melanoma mortality rates have also increased for patients ≥ 60 years old, regardless of sex (APC, 1.11%; P < .001). A non–statistically significant increase in the overall melanoma mortality rate was observed over the 20-year period analyzed (APC, 0.36%; P = .4).CONCLUSIONOur data suggest a stable melanoma mortality over the past two decades for the overall population studied; however, a significant increase in melanoma mortality rates has been demonstrated among males and in the population ≥ 60 years old, emphasizing the need to implement prevention strategies and expand access to effective therapies for this population.

1151P Trends in melanoma mortality in Brazil: A 20-year registry-based study

1151P Trends in melanoma mortality in Brazil: A 20-year registry-based study

Global trends in melanoma mortality differ by sex and age.

Global trends in melanoma mortality differ by sex and age.

Trends in mortality from cutaneous malignant melanoma in Spain (1982-2016): sex-specific age-cohort-period effects.

Mortality from malignant cutaneous melanoma increased alarmingly during the second half of the 20th century in Spain and other European countries. The aim was to analyse sex- and age-specific trends in melanoma mortality in Spain in the period 1982-2016. European age-standardized melanoma mortality rates during the period 1982-2016 were calculated from mortality figures provided by the National Statistics Institute. Joinpoint regressions were used to identify significant points of change in trends and to compute average annual per cent change (AAPC). Age-cohort-period models were fitted to explore the effect of these variables on mortality. During the period 1982-2016, age-standardized melanoma mortality rates increased in Spain from 0.90 to 1.80 deaths per 100 000 people in men and from 0.64 to 1.11 per 100 000 in women, rising noticeably from 1982 to 1995 in both sexes and in all age groups. From the mid-90s different trends were observed depending on sex and age: there was a decrease in mortality in the population younger than 45 years (AAPC -2 in both sexes) and aged 45-64 years (AAPC -1 among men and -0.2 among women), but in the group over 64 years rates continued to increase (AAPC 1.7 and 0.2, respectively, for men and women). The mortality sex ratio decreased in the younger population but increased in older individuals. A cohort effect was observed with lower mortality in the cohorts born after 1943 in men and 1956 in women. There was also a period effect with decreased mortality rates at the beginning of the 1990s. Melanoma mortality rates in Spain increased during the last decades of the 20th century; however, later they stabilized in women and began to decrease in younger cohorts and middle-aged men. Promotion of primary and secondary prevention measures should continue, with particular emphasis on males over 65 years.

Melanoma mortality in Brazil: trends and projections (1998-2032).

Melanoma is the main serious skin cancer, due to its high lethality. This study aimed to make projections and analyze melanoma mortality trends in Brazil. Mortality Information System data were utilized for the period 1998-2012, which were projected until 2032, using the age-period-cohort model, with software R. The analysis of trends was made by Joinpoint regression, with 95% confidence interval, estimating the annual percentage change. It was revealed higher amounts of deaths in men for all regions. Brazilian trends presented reductions in men (APC = -0.4; CI95% = -0.6; -0.1; p < 0.01) and in women (APC = -0.8; CI95% = -0.9; -0.7; p < 0.01). The Midwest region presented increases for both sexes, while the Southeast region presented reducing trends for both sexes. In the North, there was stability for men and increases followed by stability in women, while the South presented reductions in men and stability in women; finally, the Northeast revealed one joinpoint per sex, with an increase followed by stability in men, and stability followed by reducing trends in women. The highest rates of the country were found in the South and Southeast regions, however, with reducing trends throughout time. Higher mortality trends in men were associated with later diagnoses in this group.

A 'melanoma mortality belt' of ten U.S. states with the highest melanoma mortality rates.

e21039 Background: To our knowledge, no study has looked at U.S. melanoma mortality trends by state. We sought to determine the ten states with the highest melanoma mortality rates (per white population) and those with the lowest, as well as any state-wide demographics that could account for these trends. Methods: State melanoma mortality rates were collected from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and National Program for Cancer Registries. Data on state characteristics were collectied from the Area Health Resource File (AHRF) and the US Census Bureau. We used a regression model to determine associations between melanoma mortality and the state demographic context, such as median income, per capita income, unemployment rate, education level, and rural versus nonrural. We also examined the effect of access to health care resources by looking at density of dermatologists, density of primary care providers, and total number of hospitals. Results: We identified ten states concentrated across the central United States with the highest melanoma mortality rates. Per capita income was the only significant association for melanoma mortality rates (p = 0.0016, 95% CI 6.88 to 18.09). Median income, unemployment rate, education level, rural versus non-rural, health professional density, and unemployment rate were not associated with melanoma mortality rates by state. Conclusions: There exists a ‘melanoma mortality belt’ across the central United States made up of the ten states with the highest melanoma mortality rates. This trend could not be consistently accounted for by state demographics, even socioeconomic status traditionally thought to correlate with mortality. Only one significant association was seen between melanoma mortality rate and per capita income. Our preliminary findings highlight the multifactorial picture of geographic melanoma mortality inequalities in the U.S.

Melanoma mortality following skin cancer screening in Germany

ObjectivesIn 2003, a skin cancer screening campaign based on total body skin examination was launched in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. 20% of adults aged 20 and over were...

The forthcoming inexorable decline of cutaneous melanoma mortality in light-skinned populations

BackgroundReasons underlying time changes in cutaneous melanoma mortality in light-skinned populations are not well understood. An analysis of long-term time trends in melanoma mortality was carried out after regrouping countries in homogeneous regions. MethodsUsing the World Health Organisation (WHO) mortality database, age–period–cohort models were fitted for seven regions where the majority of population is light-skinned. Cohort effects are denoted as changes in rates occurring at different times in steadily older age groups. Period effects are denoted as changes in rates occurring simultaneously in several age groups. ResultsCohort effects better explained changes in melanoma mortality over time than period effects. Lifetime risk to die from melanoma increased in successive generations from 1875 until a peak year. Peak years were for subjects born in 1936–1940 in Oceania, 1937–1943 in North America, 1941–1942 in Northern Europe, 1945–1953 in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, 1948 in Western Europe and 1957 in Central Europe. After peak years, lifetime risk of melanoma death gradually decreased in successive generations and risks of subjects born in 1990–1995 were back to risk levels observed for subjects born before 1900–1905. In Southern Europe, birth years with highest lifetime risk of melanoma death have not yet been attained. As time passes, melanoma deaths will steadily rarefy in younger age groups and concentrate in older age groups, for ultimately fade away after 2040–2050. ConclusionIndependently from screening or treatment, over next decades, death from melanoma is likely to become an increasingly rare event. The temporary epidemic of fatal melanoma was most probably due to excessive UV-exposure of children that prevailed in 1900–1960, and mortality decreases would be due to progressive reductions in UV-exposure of children over the last decades.

Detection of BRAF V600 Mutations in Metastatic Melanoma: Comparison of the Cobas 4800 and Sanger Sequencing Assays

Detection of BRAF V600 Mutations in Metastatic Melanoma: Comparison of the Cobas 4800 and Sanger Sequencing Assays

A comparison of trends in melanoma mortality in New Zealand and Australia: the two countries with the highest melanoma incidence and mortality in the world

BackgroundNew Zealand and Australia have the highest incidence and mortality rates from cutaneous melanoma in the world. The predominantly fair-skinned New Zealanders and Australians both enjoy sun, tanned skin and the outdoors, and differences in these activities among generations have been important determinants of trends in melanoma mortality.We examined whether New Zealand trends in melanoma mortality mirror those in Australia, through detailed comparison of the trends in both countries from 1968 to 2007.MethodsFive-year age-specific and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated for each country for 5-year time periods. Tests for trends in age-specific rates were performed using the Mantel-Haenszel extension chi-square test. The age-adjusted mortality rate ratios for New Zealand/Australia were plotted against period of death to show relative changes in mortality over time. Age-specific mortality rates were plotted against period and the median year of birth to illustrate age-group and birth cohort effects. To compare the mortality of birth cohorts, age-adjusted melanoma mortality rate ratios were calculated for the birth cohorts in the quin-quennial tables of mortality rates.ResultsThe age-standardised mortality rate for melanoma increased in both sexes in New Zealand and Australia from 1968 to 2007, but the increase was greater in New Zealanders and women in particular. There was evidence of recent significant decreases in mortality in younger Australians and less so in New Zealand women aged under 45 years. Mortality from melanoma increased in successive generations born from about 1893 to 1918. In Australia, a decline in mortality started for generations born from about 1958 but in New Zealand there is possibly a decrease only in generations born since 1968.ConclusionsMortality trends in New Zealand and Australia are discrepant. It is too early to know if the pattern in mortality rates in New Zealand is simply a delayed response to melanoma control activities compared with Australia, whereby we can expect the same downward trend in similar age groups in the next few years. Specific research is needed to better understand and control the increases in mortality and thickness of melanoma in New Zealand.

An Exponential Model for Melanoma Mortality Trends

Cancer incidence and mortality trends in the Nordic countries show that most cancer types have been increasing for a long time, while a few show decreasing trends. The object of this study was to investigate melanoma mortality trends to see if there is a specific year for the trend breaks, possibly indicating a common causing factor affecting most of the population from the same time. The results clearly show that melanoma mortality started to increase exponentially by the time lived as an adult since 1955 and that the trends easily can be modeled and used for projection purpose. The findings are in support of earlier studies, suggesting reduced or temporarily disturbed DNA repair capacity due to a population-wide environmental change to be the main cause to increasing cancer rates in general, and increasing melanoma incidence and mortality in particular. th century. Traditionally, increased sun tanning habits have been blamed as the main cause of this public health problem. However, the mortality has stabilized among younger age groups while continued to increase in an exponential way among the older groups. This fact suggests that the melanoma risk suddenly increased for the whole population and that those younger age groups, having lived all their lives in this new environment, then should be expected to show a mortality level stabilizing at a higher level. In order to better understand the trends noticed, we wanted to make a trend model considering a specific year for the start of the mortality increase, the exponential function used and the age at which the mortality increase takes action. METHODS We conducted a detailed analysis of age-specific melanoma mortality rates from 1952 to the present in order to investigate if a specific trend break year was associated with each age-specific trend line. We further investigated whether such trend break years would identify a specific year from which the whole population of Sweden might have been exposed to new environmental factors that may have increased or decreased cancer rates over time.

Trends in Melanoma Mortality Among Non-Hispanic Whites by Educational Attainment, 1993-2007

To evaluate overall trends in melanoma mortality rates among non-Hispanic whites by educational level. Descriptive study. Death certificate records from 26 states, representing approximately 45% of the US population as reported by the National Center for Health Statistics, with recorded educational level information and population data from the US Bureau of Census Current Population Survey. Recorded deaths from malignant melanoma in non-Hispanic whites reported from 1993 through 2007. Age-standardized mortality rates for melanoma were evaluated by educational attainment (a marker of socioeconomic status) among non- Hispanic whites (aged 25-64 years) from 1993 through 2007. Rate ratios assessed the time trend in age-adjusted death rates by sex and educational level. Mortality differentials in educational level were measured using the regression-based Relative Index of Inequality. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Melanoma mortality declined significantly between 1993-1997 and 2003-2007 in men (RR [rate ratio], 0.916; 95% CI, 0.878-0.954; P.001) and women (RR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.857-0.957; P.001). However, these declines occurred only among the most educated persons (≥13 years of education irrespective of sex), and nonsignificant increases were found among the least-educated individuals, specifically men (P=.17). As a result, the Relative Index of Inequality by education in melanoma mortality in 2003-2007 relative to 1993-1997 (baseline) widened by 51.7% in men and by 35.7% in women. Recent declines in melanoma mortality rates among non-Hispanic whites in the United States mainly reflect declines among the most-educated individuals. The widening disparities in melanoma mortality rates by education calls for early detection strategies to effectively target high-risk, less-educated, non-Hispanic white individuals.

Does skin cancer screening save lives?

From July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004, a population-based skin cancer screening project was conducted in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. In total, 360,288 individuals aged ≥20 years were screened by means of a whole-body examination. In this report, the authors compare trends in melanoma mortality in Schleswig-Holstein with those in all adjacent regions, none of which had population-based skin cancer screening. Trends in melanoma mortality rates for Schleswig-Holstein and the adjacent regions (Denmark and the German federal states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony) and in Germany excluding Schleswig-Holstein were compared. Log-linear regression was used to assess mortality trends. In Schleswig-Holstein during the pre skin cancer screening period (1998-1999), the age-standardized melanoma mortality rate (World standard population) was 1.9 per 100,000 for men and 1.4 per 100,000 for women. Melanoma mortality declined by 47% to 1.0 per 100,000 men and by 49% to 0.7 per 100,000 women by 2008/2009. The annual percentage change in the most recent 10-year period (2000-2009) was -7.5% (95% confidence interval, -14.0, -0.5) for men and -7.1% (95% confidence interval, -10.5, -2.9) for women. In each of the 4 adjacent regions and in the rest of Germany, mortality rates were stable, and the decline in Schleswig-Holstein was significantly different from the changes observed in all of the other areas studied. The current data represent strong evidence, but not absolute proof, that the skin cancer screening program produced a reduction in melanoma mortality in Schleswig-Holstein.

Effect of age, birth cohort and period of death on skin melanoma mortality in Spain, 1975 through 2004

Recent statistics cohort analysis of mortality reveals that skin melanoma rates are dropping in the younger cohorts. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide up-to-date information and to analyze recent changes in skin melanoma mortality trends in Spain during the period of 1975-2004 using joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort models. Between 1975 and 2004, the age-standardized (overall) mortality rates for skin melanoma increased from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000 person-years for males and from 0.2 to 0.8 per 100,000 person-years for females, with an estimated annual percentage of change of 4.8 and 4.3%, respectively. In men and women, the best fit was found for the full model, which simultaneously considered the effects of age, period and cohort. The risks among both males and females increased in each successive birth cohort born between 1895 and 1950. Thereafter, the risks declined through the most recent birth cohort born in 1970. Examination of the mortality trends by age group and birth cohort revealed that the recent less rapidly rising (men) or stabilizing (women) age-adjusted skin melanoma mortality rates in Spain were a result of declining mortality in the younger age groups and more recent birth cohorts. The particularly favorable trends in young people suggest that a further decline in mortality from skin melanoma in Spain is likely to occur within the next few years.

Trends in melanoma mortality in Australia: 1950–2002 and their implications for melanoma control

Objective: To assess whether the stabilisation in melanoma mortality rates observed from 1985 to 1994 has progressed to a statistically significant decrease.Method: Joinpoint trends analyses of Australian melanoma mortality data between 1950 and 2002, stratified by age.Results: The latest data showed statistically significant decreases in mortality rates for both men and women younger than 55 years (percentage change per year, men 35–55 years: ‐2.4%; 95% Cl ‐3.5%– ‐1.3%; women: ‐2.9%; 95% Cl ‐4.7%– ‐1.1%). For ages 55–79 years, rates are now stable for both men (+0.3%; 95% Cl ‐0.6%–+1.1%) and women (‐0.5%; 95% Cl ‐1.4%–+0.4%), whereas previously the rates were increasing. For both men and women 80 years or older, rates have continued their statistically significant increase of 3–4% per year.Conclusions and Implications: Since no similar reductions in incidence have been reported, the most likely cause of the recent statistically significant decreases in mortality is early detection. Although it may be too early to be seeing the full benefits of primary prevention programs that started in the 1980s, they have the potential to lead to large reductions in mortality in the future.