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. 2025 Jan-Feb;29(1):39-42.
doi: 10.1177/12034754241301404. Epub 2024 Nov 19.

Trends in Cutaneous Melanoma in Nova Scotia With a Focus on 2007 to 2019

Rachel A Dorey  1 , Gordon Walsh  2 , Ron Dewar  2 , Peter R Hull  3
Affiliations

Trends in Cutaneous Melanoma in Nova Scotia With a Focus on 2007 to 2019

Rachel A Dorey et al. J Cutan Med Surg. 2025 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: Melanoma represents a significant public health challenge in Canada, contributing to the deaths of over 1000 individuals each year. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia were previously noted to have the highest incidence rates of melanoma in Canada.

Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with or dying from melanoma was extracted from the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry. TNM stage was available for cases diagnosed 2007 to 2017. Incidence (1992-2019) and mortality (1992-2021) rates were examined using Join Point Trend Analysis Software.

Results: Between 2007 and 2019, 2450 cases of in situ and 4063 cases of invasive melanoma were documented, of which 52.8% were male. The largest number of cases was from the 60- to 79-year age group. The most common site in females was upper limbs (in situ) and lower limbs (invasive), and for males, face, and neck (in situ), and trunk (invasive). The majority of invasive cases (71.5%) were diagnosed at stage I. Invasive melanoma incidence has been increasing by 2.7% per year since 1992, while in situ disease has increased at a greater rate (4.9% per year). The current estimate of 92% for 5 years of net survival has not changed appreciably over the same period. Survival for late-stage melanoma has shown a modest improvement for patients diagnosed over the period.

Conclusion: With increasing rates of melanoma in Nova Scotia, there is a need for informed education, directed at the public and physicians, around pigmented skin lesions. This would allow the patient to detect atypical melanocytic lesions at an early stage. Sun safety practices in Nova Scotia should continue to be encouraged.

Keywords: Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia Cancer Registry; melanoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Melanoma by age and sex (2007-2019) and stage (2007-2017).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cutaneous melanoma incidence in Nova Scotia from 1992 to 2019 (both sexes).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Anatomical site of melanoma by sex and behaviour from 2007 to 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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