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melanoma in canada: stats, impact and resources
10 minute read
with cases of melanoma on the rise in canada, it’s crucial to spread awareness surrounding the risk factors for the disease, as well as what to look for when checking for moles or spots that might be cancerous.
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melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is one of the fastest-growing types of cancer globally. in the past three decades, cases have increased, more than tripling since the 1990s. melanoma is considered the seventh most diagnosed type of cancer in the country, and rates are expected to continue rising.
it’s estimated that roughly 11,300 people – 6,500 males and 4,800 females – will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, and each year, roughly 1,300 canadians die due to the disease.
according to melanoma canada, this type of cancer is “a very serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancer and is one of the few cancers with incidence rates on the rise.”
what is melanoma?
melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer because it can spread quickly into nearby lymph nodes and tissues. it starts in melanin skin cells that give the skin its hue.
the symptoms include:
- a new mole that pops up out of nowhere
- an older mole that begins to change in shape, size, or colour
- an existing mole that starts to itch, ooze, or bleed
to check for changes that could be melanoma, healthcare providers often recommend the abcde guide, which assesses:
- asymmetry: asymmetrical moles are more likely to be melanoma.
- border: when the border of a mole or spot is ragged, blurred, or uneven, it could be a sign of melanoma.
- colour: moles with various shades could be melanoma. the shades could be black, brown, tan, white, gray, red, pink, blue, or skin-coloured.
- diameter: if moles are beginning to grow bigger, it could be a sign they are cancerous.
- evolution: if moles change in colour or size over time, they may be melanoma.
there are four main types of melanomas: superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous.
the most common type, superficial spreading melanoma, is characterized by outward growth across the skin’s surface. in some cases, however, it can also grow down into the skin. the signs of superficial spreading melanoma include:
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- flat and thin moles or growths on the skin
- uneven borders
- it can be red, blue, black, brown, grey, or white
- in some cases, it starts within an already-existing mole on the skin
superficial spreading melanoma is often found on the torso, arms, and legs. that said, in males, it is more likely to appear on the back, and in females, the legs. this type accounts for approximately 70 per cent of all melanomas.
nodular melanoma, the second-most common type, grows into the skin and spreads quicker than other forms of the disease. the growth is often raised and can resemble a mushroom with a stem.
in most cases, the colour of nodular melanoma is black, but it can also be red, pink, or skin coloured. these types of melanomas develop on the face, chest, or back, as well as areas of skin that have not been exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. roughly 15 to 20 per cent of all melanoma skin cancers are classified as nodular.
lentigo maligna melanoma generally develops in older adults and appears as a large, flat tan or brown patch on the skin. the border of the patch is uneven, and as it grows, it darkens to a darker brown or black shade. these types of growths are often found on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, and arms. roughly 10 to 15 per cent of all melanomas are lentigo maligna.
the last type, acral lentiginous melanoma, is most common in those with darker skin tones and is not related to sun exposure. the spots appear flat and small and look like dark brown or black discolouration on the skin. it is most commonly found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or beneath the nails, making it difficult to diagnose. less than 5 per cent of all melanomas are considered acral lentiginous melanoma.
there are also other more rare types of melanoma, including:
- mucosal lentiginous: this type develops on the moist lining of organs or mucous membranes, such as the mouth, throat, rectum, anal canal, vagina, and nasal passages. it spreads quickly.
- intraocular: this type of melanoma is considered the most common type of eye cancer.
- desmoplastic: desmoplastic melanoma starts in connective tissue surrounding mucosa. it develops as a skin-coloured lump and grows down into the skin. it is most commonly found on the head, neck, upper back, or other areas that have mucosa.
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melanoma is most commonly caused by uv radiation, and 85 per cent of all cases are caused by exposure from the sun or artificial sun lamps and tanning beds. other risk factors include childhood sunburn, family history, and age. people who work outdoors also have an increased risk of developing melanoma by roughly 2.5 to 3.5 times.
once it develops, it can spread quickly, moving throughout the body and causing metastatic disease.
there are 10 stages of melanoma:
- 1a
- 1b
- 2a
- 2b
- 2c
- 3a
- 3b
- 3c
- 3d
- 4
the lower the stage, the better the outcome. for example, stage 1a will have the best outcome because cancer remains localized to one spot or area, whereas stage 4 comes with the worst outcome because it indicates the spread of the cancer to other organs and tissues throughout the body.
various treatment options are available for melanoma, including:
- surgery to remove the tumour or mole and surrounding tissue or lymph nodes if it has spread
- chemotherapy
- palliative therapy to improve a person’s quality of life
- targeted therapy using cancer drugs
- oncolytic virus therapy
- radiation
melanoma, when caught early, has a high cure rate. if left untreated, though, it can lead to metastases, which could lead to worse outcomes.
current melanoma statistics in canada
melanoma is the most common type of cancer found in adults between the ages of 15 and 49 and accounts for 80 per cent of all skin cancer deaths in the country.
while it doesn’t discriminate and can affect any person of any age, gender, or ethnicity, males with fair skin or red hair are the most likely to develop melanoma. in terms of age, 15 per cent of those diagnosed with melanoma are between their mid-40s to early 50s, with 44 per cent being diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 74.
the risk of developing melanoma during one’s lifetime is 1 in 1000 for people who are black, 1 in 167 for people who are of hispanic descent, and 1 in 38 for people of caucasian descent.
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melanoma accounts for roughly 3.8 per cent and 3.3 per cent of all new cancer cases in males and females, respectively. in terms of deaths caused by cancer, melanoma is the cause of 1.9 per cent and 1.2 per cent of all cancer deaths in males and females, respectively.
roughly 1 in 42 males and 1 in 56 females will develop melanoma at some point in their lifetime, and the 5-year survival rate for all melanoma cancers is 84 per cent in males, and 91 per cent in females.
roughly 90 per cent of all people who develop melanoma will survive. however, the survival rate of melanoma will differ depending on the type and the stage. the stages and their respective survival rates are as follows:
- 1a: 99 per cent
- 1b: 97 per cent
- 2a: 94 per cent
- 2b: 87 per cent
- 2c: 82 per cent
- 3a: 93 per cent
- 3b: 83 per cent
- 3c: 69 per cent
- 3d: 32 per cent
- 4: 50 per cent
according to the canadian cancer society, roughly 11,300 canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024. of those, 6,500 will be found in males and 4,800 in females. fatalities caused by melanoma are expected to reach 1,300, with 850 being males and 440 being females. between 2023 and 2024, cases of melanoma have risen by roughly 17 per cent.
in canada, the most cases of melanoma are found in british columbia at 44.8 per cent. the remaining provinces and their melanoma incidence rates include:
- alberta: 6.9 per cent
- manitoba: 3.5 per cent
- new brunswick: 3.5 per cent
- ontario: 24.1 per cent
- quebec: 13.8 per cent
- saskatchewan: 3.5 per cent
there is very little data on the number of cases of melanoma in the yukon, northwest territories, and nunavut.
while education, work status, and marital status aren’t known to play a role in the development of melanoma, cases differ in these areas. those who have completed college have the most cases at 27.6 per cent, and those on disability or taking a leave of absence from their place of employment also account for the highest number of melanoma cases at 34.5 per cent. those in couples are also found to account for more melanoma cases, with 89.7 per cent of all cases occurring in people who are married.
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impact of melanoma on canadian society
research shows that the cost of melanoma in canada is high, with one study finding that in 2004, roughly $532 million was spent on skin cancer care.
out of that total cost, 83.4 per cent was attributed to the diagnosis and care of melanoma. the remainder was used to diagnose and treat other skin cancers, namely basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
it is estimated that between the years 2004 and 2031, the cost of diagnosing and treating skin cancer in canada will be roughly $922 million per year, with 75.5 per cent of that being used directly in the treatment and care of melanoma cases.
impact of melanoma on patients’ emotional and social wellbeing
people diagnosed with melanoma will have to undergo some form of treatment to have the skin cancer removed. in many cases, if caught early, the treatment is simple. however, if it gets to the advanced stages, it requires more extensive care and therapies, some of which can have negative impacts on the overall quality of life of people living with the disease.
patients diagnosed with melanoma are shown to experience physical pain, disability, emotional distress, and diminished interactions with both family and friends due to their condition.
according to one study that looked at a sample size of people who had been diagnosed with melanoma, close to half experienced a change in their sense of self because of their illness due to the way others perceived them as cancer patients.
roughly 66 per cent of people with melanoma also experienced a decrease in their overall quality of life attributed to the stress and worry about the future and how their disease will impact them. other emotional changes people experienced include:
- anxiety at a rate of 41 per cent
- depression at a rate of 38 per cent
- increased stress at a rate of 34 per cent
- feelings of loss of control at 31 per cent
- increased anger or sadness at 24 per cent
- increased emotional sensitivity at 21 per cent
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the study results weren’t all bad, however, and close to half of all participants experienced increased feelings of acceptance of themselves, kindness, and appreciation for the good things in life.
social relationships change for those living with melanoma as well, and 90 percent of people diagnosed with the disease saw their roles change when it came to family dynamics and support from others. they also experienced difficulties keeping up with their social activities and increased daily life interruptions.
during their treatment, 45 per cent of people in the study also saw an improvement in their social relationships due to increased support from family, friends, and loved ones. that said, 31 per cent experienced a lack of support from others during their treatment, making it more challenging to endure melanoma therapy.
resources available for melanoma in canada
there are various resources available in canada that can help those diagnosed with melanoma cope with their illness, find the right treatments, and connect with others who are going through a similar experience.
melanoma canada offers various options for people, including:
- phone and email support
- cancer coaching
- patient information sessions
- peer-to-peer support programs
- melanoma and skin cancer support groups
- facebook support groups
- patient stories
other organizations that can offer resources include:
finding the right resources can help someone diagnosed with melanoma stay on top of their disease, find the proper treatment, and access the right supports to ensure that their overall quality of life remains as high as possible throughout their cancer journey.
the future of melanoma in canada
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with cases of melanoma on the rise in canada, it’s crucial to spread awareness surrounding the risk factors for the disease, as well as what to look for when checking for moles or spots that might be cancerous.
various apps have been developed, such as the miiskin app, that can track mole changes to help people catch the disease early for a better overall outcome. better screening practices and treatments are also in the works in canada to help reduce the risk of death by melanoma in those diagnosed with advanced disease.
while melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with proper tracking, screening, and new therapies, the prognosis for those who do develop the disease can improve in canada.
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