The Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology together with the University of Siena, the University of Melbourne and the Gozo Ministry will be carrying out an intensive exercise as from September. In this three-year project, the population of the island of Gozo aged 16 years and over will be screened for early melanoma cases.

Similar exercises have been carried out in Italy and Australia but were never spread over a whole population. Melanoma is a skin cancer that will invariably cause death if it is deep within the skin or has spread to other parts of the body. Radiotherapy and anti-cancer drugs are not usually useful in late cases. It is thus vital to use any proven method that increases the diagnostic rate of early melanoma. Computer-aided diagnosis is proposed to achieve this and increase substantially diagnostic accuracy (90 per cent plus).

Diagnosis in Gozo will be through a computerised system, perfected by the University of Siena. This technological system uses imaging and completely non-invasive techniques to scan lesions and moles that are then compared electronically with an extensive databank of similar moles. This is a very efficient way of screening the skin and obtaining results in a short time, that indicate whether the spot in question is absolutely benign or whether it is best removed and examined in the laboratory.

Italian experts will be back in Gozo later in the year to begin the first phase of this intensive project, which is being carried out in consultation with Maltese and Australian experts.

The Gozo Ministry is collaborating together with the remaining parties to conduct this project, which is a very important one for the health service in Gozo and for science in general. The Gozo Ministry, through the Gozo General Hospital, is coordinating all logistical support for the study where medical and nursing staff are being involved.

Wishing the project success – in the sense that its results will continue to assist the medical services – Minister Debono thanked all the parties involved for choosing the island of Gozo for the running of such an important and intensive project. She stated that as soon as she was approached with proposals for this project she immediately gave it the green light. Apart from the project’s significance for science, said Mrs Debono, it is yet another quality service that will be provided by the Gozo Ministry, through the Gozo General Hospital, to its clients.

Mrs Debono stressed the importance given to the the health sector by the administration in Gozo

Throughout the last few years, the ministry has introduced new services at the hospital as well as improving the existing facilities. The ultimate aim is for patients in Gozo to receive the best possible treatment in Gozo itself.

The minister referred to the commencement of this screening programme as a completely new service for the Maltese Islands and said that it is certainly another step in the continual improvement in the quality of health care offered on Gozo.

Mrs Debono invited all Gozitans aged 16 and above to collaborate so that this project, which is for the benefit of the whole community, will be successful. She stressed the fact that “we have to change the mentality that going for a medical test envisaged problems”.

On the contrary, she said, “early tests can offer solutions to potentially bigger problems”.

Dr Joseph I Pace, Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology president, and Professor Lucio Andreassi and Professor Marco Burroni from the University of Siena addressed the press conference and explained the benefits to be reaped from such a project from the technical aspect.

Gozo General Hospital medical superintendent Anthony Livori was also present at the press conference.