Benign Skin Lesions: Everyday Spots, Higher Risk for Men
Australia has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, driven by our intense UV radiation, outdoor lifestyle, and largely fair-skinned population. While skin cancer affects all demographics, Australian men face a disproportionately higher risk when it comes to incidence, severity, and outcomes.
In this blog, we’ll look at the statistics on skin cancer in men, the types most commonly diagnosed, and why early detection through regular skin cancer checks is so critical. We’ll also explore behavioural patterns that put men at greater risk, and why proactive measures can make all the difference.
Types of Skin Cancer Affecting Australian Men
Skin cancers are broadly divided into two groups: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
Melanoma is less common but far more aggressive, originating in the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). It is the deadliest form of skin cancer if not detected early.
Non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These are far more common but usually less fatal when identified early and treated.
In Australia, over one million treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers are carried out each year. Among men, melanoma stands out as the second most common cancer after prostate cancer. Occupational sun exposure, especially in industries such as construction, mining, and agriculture, plays a significant role. It is estimated that 34,000 non-melanoma cases each year are linked to work-related UV exposure.
Incidence Statistics: A Growing Concern
The numbers highlight why skin cancer is a national health priority.
In 2024, nearly 19,000 new melanoma cases were diagnosed in Australia. Men accounted for over 11,000 of these, or almost 60%.
The age-standardised incidence rate for melanoma in men is 86 per 100,000, compared with 56 per 100,000 in women.
Rates of melanoma have risen steadily since 2000, although younger Australians are now showing signs of decline thanks to stronger sun safety campaigns.
Non-melanoma cancers, while often underreported, remain the most common cancers in the country. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and men consistently rank as the higher-risk group due to both behavioural and occupational factors.
Mortality Rates: Why Men Bear the Brunt
Skin cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early, yet mortality data reveals a worrying gap between men and women.
In 2023, melanoma claimed 1,314 Australian lives, with men accounting for 853 deaths, more than twice the female rate.
Men are twice as likely to die from melanoma as women.
By age 85, Australian men have a 1 in 164 chance of dying from melanoma, compared with 1 in 340 for women.
Although survival for advanced melanoma has improved with modern treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapies, delayed diagnosis remains the biggest factor behind poor outcomes in men. Non-melanoma deaths, particularly from SCC, have also almost doubled over recent decades.
Age at Diagnosis: Later for Men
When skin cancer is diagnosed matters. Unfortunately, men tend to be diagnosed later:
The median age at melanoma diagnosis is 65 years for men, compared to 60 for women.
Non-melanoma cancers occur even later, with an average age of 76.
Men over 40 are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2.5 times more likely to die from melanoma compared to younger men.
Cumulative sun exposure plays a role, but the risk starts young with melanoma the most common cancer in Australians aged 20–39.
Men and Skin Checks: The Reluctance Factor
Perhaps the most concerning trend is that men are the least likely group to attend regular skin cancer checks.
Surveys suggest that over 60% of Australians have not had a skin check in recent years, with men overrepresented in this group.
Fewer than half of men report consistent use of sunscreen or shade.
Cultural norms, busy work schedules, and a tendency to underestimate risk all contribute.
Yet the evidence is clear: whole-body skin checks every 2–3 years reduce the chance of developing thick melanomas by 14% and cut melanoma deaths by up to 40%.
At Shade Skin Cancer Medicine, we see firsthand how simple interventions, whether through individual skin checks, corporate skin checks for workplaces, or advanced treatments such as PDT (photodynamic therapy) for certain skin lesions, can prevent long-term complications and save lives.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Men
Skin cancer is preventable, detectable, and treatable, but only if men take the first step. The statistics tell us clearly that men face a greater risk and worse outcomes, largely because they are less likely to book regular skin checks.
If you’re an Australian man reading this, or you have men in your family who spend time outdoors, encourage them to book a skin cancer check today. Early detection could be the difference between a minor procedure and a life-threatening diagnosis.
Written by Dr Emily Alfonsi
MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG
Medical Director, Shade Skin
Dr Emily is a skin cancer doctor with advanced training in diagnosis and treatment. She has personally detected and treated hundreds of skin cancers and is passionate about early intervention and patient education.
