Trends in mortality from primary tumours of skin in Canada

In Canada the death rate from all primary malignant neoplasms of skin has remained approximately stable since the early 1950s. The rates have fallen in those over age 65 and risen in those aged 45 to 64 and 15 to 44. We have no reason to believe that this is due to a change in certification or to a deterioration in treatment. The rise has been wholly due to a doubling in the death rate from malignant melanoma. This is in agreement with the trend of Canadian incidence data and with the experience of other developed countries. We are of the opinion that this change is largely due to a genuine increase in the incidence of malignant melanoma.