Melanoma mortality is rising in susceptible Australians.

The number of invasive melanomas removed from Australians has steadily increased since data were recorded in 1982 (1). However, the age standardized mortality rate (ASMR) from melanoma has not increased as quickly and is levelling off (2). The discrepancy between a steep rise in the number of melanomas removed and a stable mortality rate has been attributed to the increased detection of thin melanomas, lesions that are unlikely to metastasize (3). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.