United States burden of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer from 1990 to 2019

Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the burden of skin cancer in the US from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Age-standardized incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and mortality rates from skin cancer in the US were evaluated from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. Results: Incidence, prevalence, DALY, and mortality rates for melanoma per 100,000 persons in 2019 were 17.0, 138, 64.8, and 2.2, respectively; for squamous cell carcinoma, rates were 262, 314, 26.6, and 0.8, respectively; and for basal cell carcinoma, rates were 525, 51.2, 0.2, and zero, respectively. Incidence and prevalence rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) have increased since 1990, while mortality rates have remained fairly stable. Males have had higher incidence, prevalence, DALY, and mortality rates from melanoma and NMSC every year since 1990. Incidence and prevalence of melanoma was relatively higher in the northern half of the US than in the southern half. Limitations: Global Burden of Disease is derived from estimation and mathematical modeling. Conclusions: Health care professionals can utilize differences and trends noted in this study to guide allocation of resources to reduce incidence and morbidity from skin cancer. ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2021;85:388-95.)

Automated summary

This study evaluated the burden of skin cancer in the US from 1990 to 2019, finding that incidence and prevalence rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer have increased, while mortality rates have remained stable. Males have had higher incidence and mortality rates since 1990, and melanoma incidence was relatively higher in the northern half of the US.