Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes and, because most of these cells still produce melanin, the tumors often look like brown or black moles. It is much less common than non-melanoma skin cancer, but it is much more serious. Melanoma, like non-melanoma skin cancer, is almost always curable in its early stages. However, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

What are the Key Statistics for Melanoma?

Cancer of the skin (nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers combined) is the most common of all cancers probably accounting for more than 50% of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases but causes about 79% of skin cancer deaths.

According to the American Cancer Society, estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2017 are:

• About 87,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 52,170 in men and 34,940 in women).
• About 9,730 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 6,380 men and 3,350 women).

The rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults (especially young women).

Why are the bracelets and ribbons black?

Melonama means “black tumor.” Black is the color of the warrior’s mood when going into battle and the melanoma patient is in a battle for his/her life. Black is the color of our rage when we consider the lack of progress and lack of research funding we see after 25 years of the so-called “War On Cancer.”