Incidence of Skin Cancer Declining in Young Adults

A new study shows a notable decline in both melanoma incidence and mortality among young people in Sweden, although the reasons remain unclear. The findings were reported in JAMA Dermatology.

Since the 1960s, a documented and steady increase has existed in the incidence of primary invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma throughout Europe, North America, and Oceania. While this spike in  incidence has been most prominent among older individuals, the researchers noted that there have been reports of rising rates among pre-puberty children, adolescents, and young adults.

However, in recent years, both Australia and the United States have experienced a downward trend in melanoma incidence in younger age groups, the researchers noted. Furthermore, in some countries, such as Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom, an incidence stabilization has been reported in younger age groups. However, none of the European countries have reported a marked decline in melanoma incidence in any age group.

In this study, researchers assessed melanoma incidence and mortality trends in Sweden, with a focus on individuals younger than the average age of melanoma onset, specifically in the 30 to 59 age range. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants for each year from 1990 to 2022.

According to the results, there was a consistent rise in melanoma incidence among those from 50 to 59 years old. In people aged 20 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, and 40 to 49 years, there was a melanoma incidence peak from 2013 to 2015 followed by stable or significantly declining rates until 2022. In patients younger than 20 years, melanoma incidence remained low with no significant trends, the researchers noted.

“The findings of this cohort study showed a significant recent downward trend in both melanoma incidence and melanoma mortality in the age group 30 to 49 years in Sweden. The reasons for these declines are unclear but may include UV protection, public health campaigns, changing population demographics, and the introduction of effective melanoma treatment. None of these possibilities were evaluated; further study is needed,” the researchers concluded.