Melanoma: Risk factors, diagnosis and treatment
Source: Medical Independent, January 2025
Incidence and epidemiology of melanoma in Ireland
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) if not detected and treated early. It typically occurs in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye. In women, melanomas most commonly occur on the legs; while in men, on the back.
The latest validated figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) in 2021 (Table 1) show 1,263 invasive melanomas were diagnosed in Ireland confirming that melanoma is now the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women and one-in-38 of the population may develop a melanoma (www.ncri.ie).