Bank of Valletta is supporting the second phase of the Gozo Melanoma Screening Study. This project was initiated in Malta in November 2004 by Italian researchers Prof. Marco Burroni and Lucio Andreassi from Siena in collaboration with the Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology with the full support of the Gozo Ministry.

Through this project, every person in Gozo over the age of 16 is being offered a computer-aided diagnostic examination related to melanoma over the next three years.

The second phase of the project was launched today at the Gozo Ministry by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, President of the Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology Joseph Pace and senior officials from Bank of Valletta and Middle Sea Insurance as co-main sponsors of the project.

Developed by Italian dermatological researchers Marco Burroni and Giordana dell’Eva, the DDA-Mips System is based on a computer-linked dermatoscope that enables assessment of certain characteristics of pigmented lesions that are not visible to the naked eye, thus providing an additional diagnostic aid to the dermatologist. It is suggested that use of this advanced technology can increase diagnostic accuracy from 75 per cent to 92 per cent. This new technique therefore offers a significant improvement in the all-important early diagnosis of a potentially fatal condition. When the Italian researchers were seeking a small country where the entire population could be offered screening for melanoma, Professor Pace successfully made a strong case for Gozo to be the first ever venue to host this important medical project. The island’s particular demographic characteristics were an added attraction, since the importance of genetic factors could also be studied.

Addressing the media during the launch, the Gozo Minister thanked Bank of Valletta and MiddleSea Insurance for understanding the importance of this initiative and for providing their financial assistance. Mrs Debono said that this project is the first of its kind worldwide, since it tests the entire population of a whole geographical area aged 16 and over. She thanked Bank of Valletta and MiddleSea Insurance and said that the support shown by the private sector is very significant because it demonstrates that it, too, is conscious of the need to support health matters and initiatives.

Mrs Debono said that the health sector is one of the main areas on which the Gozo Ministry focuses its attention, because it believes that the availability of facilities and services in this area lead to a better quality of life on Gozo. She referred to the modernisation project presently being undertaken in the Maternity ward and the new Gynaecology unit that should reach its final stage in the coming days.

In his address, Prof. Pace referred to the association’s continuing efforts to foster awareness of the risks carried by melanoma both in Malta and now Gozo. “Melanoma is a deadly cancer of the skin with an incidence in some countries of 12-15 cases per 100,000 people. Considered that advanced cutaneous melanoma is still incurable and increasing in most countries, any advance in early detection is the important step towards a reduction in the mortality rate,” he said. Computer technology now offers exactly that – allowing the dermatologist to improve diagnostic accuracy, much like an x-ray helps the chest physician or an ECG the cardiologist. Prof. Pace repeated that melanoma is curable, it is if detected early enough.

Phase two of the project will see a consolidation of the work to date with:

• Regular screening clinics run by research doctors trained in the use of the computer techniques and supported by main sponsors Bank of Valletta and Middle Sea Insurance;

• Specific recall of a random sample of people living in Gozo to add statistical significance to clinical findings and enable comparison with similar populations abroad;

• A greater degree of community involvement, with the organisation of essay competitions about sun exposure and its dangers for school children at various levels, and

• An award for the locality that has the best percentage of attendees for the screening examination throughout the study.

Finally Prof. Pace thanked his Italian colleagues for their faith in local dermatologists, the Gozitan authorities for their unflinching support, the sponsors without whose help further progress would have been very difficult, La Roche Posay for supporting a number of posters on the project and last but not least, the staff who had given their time unselfishly for the sake of their patients’ health.

Commenting on the bank’s association with this project, Bank of Valletta chief officer, credit, John Soler said: “We have always been close to the Gozitan community and our financial support for this important project underlines the bank’s commitment to ensure the wellbeing of Gozo and its people. Gozo has always featured high on our agenda and our financial assistance to the success of this venture is in line with this commitment. This is in sync with BOV’s corporate social responsibility policy. We are very proud to associate ourselves with a project that involves unsurpassed cutting-edge technology and a high level of expertise and we are fully-confident that the collective effort from all those involved in this project will result in an enhanced heath-care package for all the Gozitan community.”

Information about the Gozo Melanoma Screening Study is available from local council offices in Gozo and from the Gozo General Hospital Outpatient department where the DBDermo-Mips System equipment is located.

For further information on this project, Prof. J Pace can be contacted on [email protected]