The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased in the United States over the past several decades, according to Martin A. Weinstock, MD, PhD and professor of dermatology at Brown, in a speech to the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Meeting.From 1995 to 2004, melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, has increased by more than 1 percent per year while overall cancer rates have decreased by 0.6 percent.
According to Dr. Weinstock, the increase in melanoma rates from 1995 to 2004 was not specific to one age group, but there was an increase in the youngest group (15 to 30) and the 60-plus group.
For more information on the studies that went into this report and about the AAD's Be Sun Smart program, see here.
