Almost 300 new cases of melanoma in 12 years

Almost 300 new cases of melanoma were reported over the 12-year period between 1993 and 2004, statistics compiled by the Maltese National Cancer Registry show.

In the same period, 59 people succumbed to melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

But not all is doom and gloom, and Lawrence Scerri, the head of dermatology at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, pointed out that the five-year survival rate has increased, going up from 74 per cent between 1993 and 1997 to 92 per cent between 1998 and 2002.

However, the improvement in survival rates should not lead to complacency and Dr Scerri, together with other dermatology experts, urged people to avoid sun exposure and have any suspicious moles checked out.

This year's Euro Melanoma Skin Cancer Campaign - which reaches its pinnacle on Melanoma Monday on May 15 - is calling on people not to trust a changing mole but rather check their skin regularly.

Speaking during a press conference called to launch the annual campaign, Dr Scerri said the incidence of melanoma increased over the past 10 to 15 years, adding that this was not only happening in Malta, but was rather a trend in most Caucasian populations.

The president of the Malta Association of Dermatology and Venereology, Joseph Pace stressed the importance of year-round awareness about the harm of sun exposure. "I wish Melanoma Monday was changed to a daily event," he said.

This is the seventh year that Malta is taking part in the Euro melanoma campaign, which aims to familiarise people with the dangers of melanoma and promote both prevention and early detection.

Dr Scerri said that although melanoma is a skin cancer that kills, prevention is possible. He pointed out that repeated sunburn and sun exposure in childhood increases the risk of melanoma, adding that some people, especially those with fair and freckled skin and irregular moles, have a genetic predisposition. He pointed out that melanoma develops decades after damage by the sun has already taken place.

Dermatology consultant Michael Boffa said melanoma lesions are usually asymmetrical, have an irregular indented border, consist of more than one shade, are usually larger than six millimetres in diameter and change in size, shape and colour. There might also be spontaneous bleeding and irritation.

Dr Boffa said chemo and radio therapy are not very effective, but added that surgical excision under local anaesthetic can remove most melanoma lesions.

"If caught early, most cases can be treated with a simple operation which could be life saving," he said.

Health Promotion Department director Mario Spiteri said this is a clear case when prevention is better than cure. This year's campaign is trying to reach the younger generations and posters, that should appear on a number of buses shortly, show children wearing hats and sunglasses to protect them against the sun's harmful rays. "We want to try and catch them as young as possible," he said.

Also referring to children, Dr Scerri said year after year sports days are still being organised on hot days. He stressed the need to pressure the education authorities into shifting the annual event from May to March, which is a much safer time.

It was worrying to see children getting sunburnt, and Dr Scerri highlighted the importance of sending a circular to parents prior to the event so that they can equip the children with proper clothing.