Study Looks at Sex Differences in Melanoma Incidence
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Sept. 17, 2024 -- Melanoma rates differ for men and women, including in terms of ages of occurrence and locations of melanoma, according to a study published online June 17 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Catherine M. Olsen, Ph.D., from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia, and colleagues analyzed long-term melanoma data (1982 to 2018) in three populations residing at high-, moderate-, and low-ambient sun exposures. Trends in the male-to-female incidence rate ratio (IRR) were compared by site and sex using age-period-cohort models.
The researchers found that the incidence of melanoma was always highest on the trunk in men, while in women, incidence was historically highest on limbs, but recent increases in truncal melanoma were seen. In all populations, the IRR showed excess melanoma in women on the lower limb in most age groups. In contrast, a male excess of melanoma was seen on the trunk and head/neck (from about age 25 years and from about age 40 years, respectively), which increased with age. Among recent birth cohorts, turning points in incidence from high to low incidence were identified, with differences seen by population and site.
"These analyses of trends in melanoma incidence by body site reveal consistent patterns compatible with changing patterns of sun exposure together with some innate differences in site-specific susceptibility between the sexes," the authors write.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
32 Percent of U.S. Adults Consumed Fast Food on a Given Day in 2021 to 2023
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- Over 30 percent of adults and children consumed fast food on a given day during August 2021 to August 2023, according to two reports from the National...
Disparities Seen in Continuous Glucose Monitor Rx by Language Preference
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), disparities in continuous glucose monitor (CGM) prescriptions are seen by language preference, with less access...
Survey Shows Few Adults Recognize Testicular Cancer as Affecting Young Men
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- Only one in 10 U.S. adults correctly identified testicular cancer as most commonly affecting men under age 40, according to a survey released June16 by...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.