This article describes melanoma as an important health concern because of its rapid and continuous growth in many parts of the world. In the United States, a persistent increase in incidence is seen, which has started to slow in recent years. In some countries, differing trends are seen in younger people, with incidence and mortality rates leveling off or decreasing in this population. This article describes that despite this leveling off, melanoma incidence is likely to continue to rise in the near future, because rates are still increasing in older people who comprise most of those afflicted with melanoma.