This comprehensive study examines global trends in melanoma incidence from 1990 to 2020 and evaluates the evidence for causal relationships between different types of radiation exposure and melanoma development, utilizing data from multiple international cancer registries including SEER, GLOBOCAN, and IARC databases.

Background: The relationship between radiation exposure and melanoma development has been a subject of considerable scientific debate, with particular interest in distinguishing the effects of ionising radiation from ultraviolet radiation.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of melanoma incidence data from multiple international cancer registries, including SEER, GLOBOCAN, and IARC databases. Data on ionising radiation exposure were obtained from atomic bomb survivor studies, occupational exposure cohorts, and medical radiation registries.

Results: Global melanoma incidence increased substantially from 1990 to 2020, with age-standardised rates rising significantly in multiple regions. The study provides definitive evidence about UV radiation's primary role in melanoma development while examining complex interactions between environmental factors and cancer incidence.