2015 NICE指南：黑色素瘤的诊断与管理

Melanoma is the third most common skin cancer in the UK. It accounts for more cancer deaths than all other skin cancers combined. In 2011 there were 13,348 new cases of melanoma and 2209 deaths from melanoma.

Although melanoma is more often diagnosed in older people, it is increasingly affecting younger people. More than 900 adults aged under 35 are now diagnosed with melanoma annually in the UK, and it is the second most common cancer in adults aged between 25 and 49. Melanoma therefore leads to more years of life lost overall than many more common cancers.

Most melanomas occur in people with pale skin. The risk factors are skin that tends to burn in the sun, having many moles, intermittent sun exposure and sunburn.