Melanoma is a cancer that usually starts in the skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects the organs inside your body from injury, infection, heat and ultraviolet light from the sun.
Most often the first sign of melanoma is a new, unusual looking growth on the skin. You may notice a change in a mole that you’ve had for a long time. Melanoma can start anywhere on your body, but it usually starts in areas that are exposed most often to the sun – the head, face, neck, hands, arms and legs.
1 in 63 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime. (Melanoma Network of Canada)
In 2020, there will be an estimated 8,000 new cases of melanoma and an estimated 1,300 melanoma deaths in Canada (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2020).
Watch this short video from the Melanoma Network about preventing and detecting melanoma:
More information
- About Melanoma
- Melanoma Myths & Facts
- Diagnosis of Melanoma
- Treatment of Melanoma
- Life with Melanoma
- Melanoma Resources
- Melanoma Stories
Videos
Check out our blog post on sun safety.