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Each year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) releases updated estimates about trends in cancer in their report Cancer Facts and Figures. This report highlights the estimated incidence (number of new cases), prevalence (number of people alive today with a history of cancer), and survival statistics for cancer in the United States. Importantly, the report tracks trends over time – allowing us to monitor the impact of prevention, detection, and improvements in treatment approaches.
The latest projections for melanoma in 2025 reveal a continuing challenge in the fight against the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the report, an estimated 104,960 new cases of invasive melanoma are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year (a slight increase over last)—60,550 in men and 44,410 in women. Around 8,430 Americans (5,470 men and 2,960 women) are projected to die from the disease.
This data is incredibly useful for understanding how rates of melanoma shift over time, how melanoma research and new treatment options are improving patient survival and outcomes, and highlighting the work that still needs to be done.
Incidence of invasive melanoma increased steeply in the US since the 1970’s until recently. While overall melanoma incidence rates have stabilized among women under 50 and have declined by about 1% per year in men under 50, rates in adults 50 and older continue to increase in women by almost 3% per year, but have stabilized in men. Additionally, the broader landscape of cancer trends is shifting. Recent findings indicate that overall cancer incidence rates in women under 50 have now surpassed those of men in the same age group1, and melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people younger than 30 (especially younger women)2.
This highlights the importance of continued research and prevention efforts, especially among younger populations. This is especially important in melanoma, as experts estimate that roughly 90% of all melanoma diagnoses are attributed to ultraviolet (UV) exposure.
The good news is that advancements in treatments, like immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have led to remarkable improvements in patient outcomes. The five-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma increased from 15% in the mid-2000s to 35%. When diagnosed at a localized stage, five-year survival rates are as high as >99%. In addition, melanoma-related deaths have declined by approximately 1% per year between 2017 and 2021, reflecting the impact of these new treatments.
Despite these advancements, racial disparities persist in melanoma outcomes. Overall, the lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 3% for White people, 0.1% for Black people, and 0.5% for Hispanic people. Yet, from 2013 to 2019, the five-year survival rate was 94% among White individuals but only 71% among Black individuals.
This disparity may be due to the fact that while melanoma occurs less frequently among People of Color, when it does occur, it is diagnosed at a more advanced stage of disease.3 When found and treated early, most melanomas are curable. However, as melanoma progresses it becomes far more challenging to treat. Researchers believe this happens for two reasons. First, because People of Color perceive their own risk to be low, they may delay getting medical care. Second, doctors are also more likely to overlook melanoma among People of Color or may not examine non-sun exposed areas for signs of acral or mucosal. This is because some doctors may also assume their patients of color are at a reduced risk of melanoma and are unfamiliar with acral melanoma.4
This gap underscores the critical need for improved awareness, early detection, and equitable access to high-quality treatment for people of all races.
With melanoma remaining as the fifth most diagnosed cancer in the U.S., continued efforts in funding research, prevention, and education are crucial to better outcomes for patients. Promoting early detection and sun safety remain essential to these efforts.
More research is urgently needed on rare melanomas, including the development of new treatments and studies on incidence, survival, and risk factors. Rare melanomas include acral (on the hands, feet, and nail beds), ocular or uveal melanoma in the eye, and mucosal melanoma which arises in areas with mucosal tissues, including the nose/nasal cavity, inside the mouth, and genitourinary tract.
These goals are reflected MRA’s current scientific priority areas of increased focus on improving early detection and diagnosis across all races and ethnicities, understanding treatment resistance, deciphering brain metastasis and leptomeningeal disease, and research into rare melanomas.
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