If detected early, malignant melanoma, the worst and most fatal type of skin cancer, can be easily treated by surgery.

However, if given time to spread, this cancer is even more deadly than other cancers since it does not respond to any other type of treatment, such as radiotherapy, said Malta Association of Dermatology and Venereology (MADV) president Joseph Pace.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr Pace announced that, for the fifth year running, Malta will be joining the rest of Europe in marking Euro-Melanoma Day, which this year is next Monday, 10 May. On this day, Sir Paul Boffa hospital will be turned into a screening clinic for those with suspicious or irregular moles and pigmented lesions. This will be strictly by appointment and people must understand that these screenings are very important for early detection of melanoma.

Dr Pace explained that melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, in terms of mortality. It can develop anywhere on the skin and in 30-40 per cent of cases this occurs within a pre-existing mole. It is most common for men to develop this type of cancer on their backs, while women’s legs are more susceptible to it, continued Dr Pace. Any new or pre-existing mole that changes shape or colour, or begins to itch, bleed or ooze must be checked immediately, he said.

The doctor said that four points must be taken into consideration when examining a mole for irregularities. Common moles are symmetric and early stages of malignant melanoma are asymmetrical, he said. The border must also be examined, he went on, since moles that may become malignant have irregular borders with indentations. Common moles have one uniform colour, and colour variations – different shades of brown, pink, red or black – may be the first signs of malignant melanoma. He pointed out that moles that are malignant are also larger in size than regular moles and usually increase in diameter and surface.

It is a common belief that melanoma can only develop on areas exposed to the sun. Dr Pace and the other two doctors speaking at the conference, quashed this notion, explaining that an irregular mole on any part of the body can become malignant and should therefore be treated with suspicion.

Melanoma Day should be celebrated every day, said Dr Pace, since people should be vigilant regarding any changes in their skin. The incidence rates of melanoma are, unfortunately, increasing. Statistics issued by the Maltese National Cancer Registry at the Department of Health Information show that 258 new cases of melanoma have been reported over the 11-year period between 1993 and 2003 and in this time, 51 people have died from the disease.

Although average mortality rates due to melanoma have increased by 200 per cent in males and 40 per cent in females, they have fortunately decreased among the younger age group. MADV vice-president and Dermatology Department head Lawrence Scerri explained that the decline in melanoma in people younger than 35 could be a positive indicator that information on the subject is having some effect and entering into the public consciousness. In fact, more than half of the diagnosed cases of melanoma were identified by the patients themselves, through self-examination.

Also addressing the conference, MADV vice-president Michael Boffa said that if people are made aware of what to look out for, melanoma should be one of the easiest cancers to detect, as the skin is very obviously visible.

All three doctors agreed that although sun exposure has been identified as a trigger for skin cancer, it is not the only determining factor. People in the high risk category – that is, fair-skinned people with many moles, those with a family history of skin cancer and those who work in the sun – should regularly visit a dermatologist. Dr Pace emphasised that any new, changing or unusual moles require an immediate consultation.

The MADV president also announced that plans for Malta to be part of a project to pioneer computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) are in progress. The project will be run in collaboration with dermatology departments in Siena and Sydney.

Technological advances have allowed one to expect CAD to be over 90 per cent accurate, continued Dr Pace. It works by comparing the data collected during the screening with previous screenings to determine whether the mole or lesion in question is benign or should be checked for abnormalities. Although pilot studies have been carried out in Sydney and Siena, a whole village has never been studied using this method, explained Dr Pace, and plans to initiate a series of diagnoses in Gozo should go through later this year.

Dr Scerri said that the aim of Melanoma Day is to familiarise the public with the disease and raise awareness since, as was mentioned before, early detection can save lives. He explained that melanoma usually develops years after the skin has been damaged by the sun and exposure to the sun in childhood severely affects the chances of developing the disease, as young skin is very delicate.

The media can help phase out the glamorous image of tanned skin, he said. Advertisements and images of beauty in the media often show tanned skin to be more attractive. This may affect the way young people think and make them put their lives at a greater risk than necessary, said Dr Scerri.

More lobbying is needed to enforce safe sun practices in schools and sports institutions, although a survey conducted in Malta’s secondary schools showed that students are quite well-informed. Dr Scerri said there were only a few common misconceptions. The students wrongly believed that skin is only damaged when burnt and not tanned. They also thought sunscreens work all day and that the sun’s rays are not damaging to the skin when the sky is overcast.

The MADV vice-president explained that the fact that adolescents seemed very concerned with the cosmetic damage of the sun’s harmful rays, such as wrinkles and pigmentation, should be exploited in order for them to learn to protect their skin. Fake tans, which are completely safe, should also gain popularity among those who just cannot go without a tan, he said. The doctor also mentioned that children’s swimsuits are now being made with built-in UV protection and more regular use should be made of these.

Dr Michael Boffa gave an explanation of the most harmful types of UV rays. UVB is what causes our skin to burn, he said, while UVA are the rays that give us a tan and cause wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Both these types of UV rays are very harmful and any sunscreen must protect against both. A total sunblock does not exist, and sunscreen alone cannot be depended upon. Although people have often heard the precautions they must take, it can never hurt to repeat them, he continued.

People must avoid midday sun, as it is the strongest, and they must remember that water reflects the suns rays and they are therefore even less protected while swimming, he pointed out. Apart from sun protection with an SPF higher than 15, people should wear loose clothing, a hat and sun glasses to minimise the amount of skin exposed to the sun. Dr Boffa did not hesitate to remind the public that it is not sun exposure alone that causes melanoma, it is simply one of the known triggers.

Dr Pace also said that people who work outdoors should be liable for compensation if they are diagnosed with skin cancer. Exposure to the sun is, after all, one of the risks of their job, he said. He concluded by saying that even more vigilance is needed, as the intensity of the sun is always increasing and more sun damage is caused in half-an-hour of exposure nowadays than was the case a few decades ago.

Appointments for screening on 10 May, Melanoma Day, can be made on 2298-7105 or 2298-7153.

If detected early, malignant melanoma, the worst and most fatal type of skin cancer, can be easily treated by surgery.

However, if given time to spread, this cancer is even more deadly than other cancers since it does not respond to any other type of treatment, such as radiotherapy, said Malta Association of Dermatology and Venereology (MADV) president Joseph Pace.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr Pace announced that, for the fifth year running, Malta will be joining the rest of Europe in marking Euro-Melanoma Day, which this year is next Monday, 10 May. On this day, Sir Paul Boffa hospital will be turned into a screening clinic for those with suspicious or irregular moles and pigmented lesions. This will be strictly by appointment and people must understand that these screenings are very important for early detection of melanoma.

Dr Pace explained that melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, in terms of mortality. It can develop anywhere on the skin and in 30-40 per cent of cases this occurs within a pre-existing mole. It is most common for men to develop this type of cancer on their backs, while women’s legs are more susceptible to it, continued Dr Pace. Any new or pre-existing mole that changes shape or colour, or begins to itch, bleed or ooze must be checked immediately, he said.

The doctor said that four points must be taken into consideration when examining a mole for irregularities. Common moles are symmetric and early stages of malignant melanoma are asymmetrical, he said. The border must also be examined, he went on, since moles that may become malignant have irregular borders with indentations. Common moles have one uniform colour, and colour variations – different shades of brown, pink, red or black – may be the first signs of malignant melanoma. He pointed out that moles that are malignant are also larger in size than regular moles and usually increase in diameter and surface.

It is a common belief that melanoma can only develop on areas exposed to the sun. Dr Pace and the other two doctors speaking at the conference, quashed this notion, explaining that an irregular mole on any part of the body can become malignant and should therefore be treated with suspicion.

Melanoma Day should be celebrated every day, said Dr Pace, since people should be vigilant regarding any changes in their skin. The incidence rates of melanoma are, unfortunately, increasing. Statistics issued by the Maltese National Cancer Registry at the Department of Health Information show that 258 new cases of melanoma have been reported over the 11-year period between 1993 and 2003 and in this time, 51 people have died from the disease.

Although average mortality rates due to melanoma have increased by 200 per cent in males and 40 per cent in females, they have fortunately decreased among the younger age group. MADV vice-president and Dermatology Department head Lawrence Scerri explained that the decline in melanoma in people younger than 35 could be a positive indicator that information on the subject is having some effect and entering into the public consciousness. In fact, more than half of the diagnosed cases of melanoma were identified by the patients themselves, through self-examination.

Also addressing the conference, MADV vice-president Michael Boffa said that if people are made aware of what to look out for, melanoma should be one of the easiest cancers to detect, as the skin is very obviously visible.

All three doctors agreed that although sun exposure has been identified as a trigger for skin cancer, it is not the only determining factor. People in the high risk category – that is, fair-skinned people with many moles, those with a family history of skin cancer and those who work in the sun – should regularly visit a dermatologist. Dr Pace emphasised that any new, changing or unusual moles require an immediate consultation.

The MADV president also announced that plans for Malta to be part of a project to pioneer computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) are in progress. The project will be run in collaboration with dermatology departments in Siena and Sydney.

Technological advances have allowed one to expect CAD to be over 90 per cent accurate, continued Dr Pace. It works by comparing the data collected during the screening with previous screenings to determine whether the mole or lesion in question is benign or should be checked for abnormalities. Although pilot studies have been carried out in Sydney and Siena, a whole village has never been studied using this method, explained Dr Pace, and plans to initiate a series of diagnoses in Gozo should go through later this year.

Dr Scerri said that the aim of Melanoma Day is to familiarise the public with the disease and raise awareness since, as was mentioned before, early detection can save lives. He explained that melanoma usually develops years after the skin has been damaged by the sun and exposure to the sun in childhood severely affects the chances of developing the disease, as young skin is very delicate.

The media can help phase out the glamorous image of tanned skin, he said. Advertisements and images of beauty in the media often show tanned skin to be more attractive. This may affect the way young people think and make them put their lives at a greater risk than necessary, said Dr Scerri.

More lobbying is needed to enforce safe sun practices in schools and sports institutions, although a survey conducted in Malta’s secondary schools showed that students are quite well-informed. Dr Scerri said there were only a few common misconceptions. The students wrongly believed that skin is only damaged when burnt and not tanned. They also thought sunscreens work all day and that the sun’s rays are not damaging to the skin when the sky is overcast.

The MADV vice-president explained that the fact that adolescents seemed very concerned with the cosmetic damage of the sun’s harmful rays, such as wrinkles and pigmentation, should be exploited in order for them to learn to protect their skin. Fake tans, which are completely safe, should also gain popularity among those who just cannot go without a tan, he said. The doctor also mentioned that children’s swimsuits are now being made with built-in UV protection and more regular use should be made of these.

Dr Michael Boffa gave an explanation of the most harmful types of UV rays. UVB is what causes our skin to burn, he said, while UVA are the rays that give us a tan and cause wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Both these types of UV rays are very harmful and any sunscreen must protect against both. A total sunblock does not exist, and sunscreen alone cannot be depended upon. Although people have often heard the precautions they must take, it can never hurt to repeat them, he continued.

People must avoid midday sun, as it is the strongest, and they must remember that water reflects the suns rays and they are therefore even less protected while swimming, he pointed out. Apart from sun protection with an SPF higher than 15, people should wear loose clothing, a hat and sun glasses to minimise the amount of skin exposed to the sun. Dr Boffa did not hesitate to remind the public that it is not sun exposure alone that causes melanoma, it is simply one of the known triggers.

Dr Pace also said that people who work outdoors should be liable for compensation if they are diagnosed with skin cancer. Exposure to the sun is, after all, one of the risks of their job, he said. He concluded by saying that even more vigilance is needed, as the intensity of the sun is always increasing and more sun damage is caused in half-an-hour of exposure nowadays than was the case a few decades ago.

Appointments for screening on 10 May, Melanoma Day, can be made on 2298-7105 or 2298-7153.