Social inequality and incidence of and survival from malignant melanoma in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994–2003

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma has increased more than that of any other cancer in most white populations during the past few decades. We investigated the effects of socioeconomic, demographic and health-related indicators on the incidence of and survival from malignant melanoma in 1994–2003 in Denmark using information from nationwide registries. The analyses were based on data on 6914 patients with malignant melanoma in a cohort of 3.22 million persons born between 1925 and 1973 and aged ⩾30 years. The age- and period-standardised incidence rate was 25 and 29 per 100,000 person-years for men and women, respectively. We found an increased risk for malignant melanoma in the highest socioeconomic groups. In general, survival after a malignant melanoma was better in high socioeconomic groups and better in women than men. Our results support earlier reports that malignant melanoma is associated with higher socioeconomic position.