Skin cancer survival statistics

The latest age-standardised relative survival rates for malignant melanoma in England during 2005-2009 show that 95.7% of men are expected to survive their disease for at least one year, falling to 83.6% surviving five years or more (Table 3.1).1,2 The survival rates for women are slightly higher, with 97.7% expected to survive for one year or more and 91.6% surviving for at least five years. Broadly similar rates have been reported for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.3-5

Table 3.1: Malignant Melanoma (C43), One-, Five- and Ten-Year Age-Standardised Relative Survival Rates, Adults (Aged 15-99), England 2005-2009 and England and Wales 2007

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*Ten-year survival rates have been predicted for patients diagnosed in 2007 (using the hybrid approach)

A common misconception is to treat five-year survival rates as ‘cure’ rates. However, for malignant melanoma survival continues to fall beyond five years after diagnosis (Table 3.1).1,2

The five-year relative survival rates for malignant melanoma are among the highest of the 21 most common cancers in England.1 Like most cancers, when caught at an early stage treatment is much more effective.

section reviewed 09/08/12
section updated 09/08/12

As with nearly all cancers, relative survival for malignant melanoma is higher in younger men and women, even after taking account of the higher background mortality in older people. The reasons for this are likely to include a combination of better general health, more effective response to treatment and earlier diagnosis in younger people overall. Differences in underlying tumour biology may also play a part for some cancer sites.

The five-year relative survival rates for malignant melanoma in men in England during 2005-2009 ranged from 90% in 15-39 year olds to 64% in 80-99 year olds (Figure 3.1).1 Relative survival was higher in women for all of the age groups, ranging from 96% in 15-39 year olds to 85% in 80-99 year olds.

Figure 3.1: Malignant Melanoma (C43), Five-Year Relative Survival Rates by Age, England 2005-2009

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section reviewed 09/08/12
section updated 09/08/12

As with the majority of cancers, relative survival for malignant melanoma is improving. This can generally be attributed to faster diagnosis and improvements in treatment.

One-year relative survival rates have been used as an indicator of early diagnosis, since death before one year may be due to the disease being diagnosed at a late stage. In men, one-year relative survival rates for malignant melanoma increased from 78% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to 95.7% in England during 2005-2009 (Figure 3.2).1,6-8 In women, one-year relative survival rates increased from 89% to 97.7% during the same time periods, respectively.

Figure 3.2: Malignant Melanoma (C43), Age-Standardised One-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995, England 1996-2009 

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*Survival rates are for England only from 1996 onwards

While relative survival rates are still influenced by early diagnosis after five years, they are also strongly dependent on the success of treatment. In men, five-year relative survival rates for malignant melanoma increased from 46% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to 83.6% in England during 2005-2009 (Figure 3.3).1,6-8 In women, five-year relative survival rates increased from 65% to 91.6% during the same time periods, respectively.

Figure 3.3: Malignant Melanoma (C43), Age-Standardised Five-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995, England 1996-2009

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*Survival rates are for England only from 1996 onwards

Ten-year relative survival rates for men diagnosed with malignant melanoma increased from 40% in England and Wales during 1971-1975 to a predicted 78.2% in England in 2007 (Figure 3.4).2,8,9 In women, ten-year relative survival rates increased from 61% to a predicted 88.6% during the same time periods, respectively.

Figure 3.4: Malignant Melanoma (C43), Age-Standardised Ten-Year Relative Survival Rates, England and Wales 1971-1995 and Predicted 2007, England 1996 to 2003

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*Survival rates are not age-standardised from 1971-1985
**Ten-year survival rates have been predicted for patients diagnosed in 2007 (using the hybrid approach)

section reviewed 09/08/12
section updated 09/08/12