Although melanoma occurs more frequently in females, Malta has registered a higher incidence of melanoma in males, said Dermatology Department Head Lawrence Scerri yesterday.

Dr Scerri was speaking at the launch of the Euro-Melanoma skin cancer campaign.

According to statistics issued by the Maltese National Cancer Registry, between 1993 and 1997, the incidence of melanoma was higher in females (+1.6 ratio). However, between 1998 and 2002, a higher incidence of melanoma was registered in males (+0.9 ratio).

Locally, the campaign is organised by the Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology and the Department of Dermatology in collaboration with the Health Promotion Department.

Melanoma Monday or Euro-Melanoma Day 2006 falls on Monday 15 May. Don’t trust a changing mole – Check your skin is the main theme for this year’s campaign.

In Malta, between 1993-2004, there were a total of 297 cases of melanoma diagnosed, with 59 deaths reported, said Dr Scerri.

The increase in incidence in both sexes occurred mainly in the older age group (60 years and over) with the incidence remaining relatively stable in the younger and middle age groups.

The overall absolute five-year survival rate increased to 92 per cent in the second five-year period from 74 per cent in the first five-year period.

The incidence of melanoma in Malta is lower than that of northern and central Europe, but higher than most southern European countries, said Dr Scerri.

Dr Scerri explained that the two main objectives of the melanoma awareness campaign is to promote prevention and early detection.

“Through protection from a young age in high-risk individuals, the risk of melanoma development is highly decreased,” he said.

The earlier the melanoma is detected and treated, the better the survival rate, added Dr Scerri.

Consultant with the Department of Dermatology Michael Boffa explained that a melanoma looks like a brown or black patch or lump with irregular features.

Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer. It has a high mortality rate of one in five cases and can develop anywhere on the skin and within a pre-existing mole in 30-50 per cent of the cases, explained Dr Boffa.

Doctors use the ABCDE guide to diagnose melanoma, said Dr Boffa. These are as follows:

Asymmetry: the melanoma itself is asymmetrical.

Border: the melanoma has an irregular indented border as opposed to a smooth rounded border.

Colour: the melanoma has different shades and is not one uniform colour.

Diameter: the melanoma is usually larger than six millimetres in diameter. Dr Boffa explained that this criterion is only valid when the mole is an abnormal shape and colour.

Evolution: any recent changes in size, shape and colour, spontaneous bleeding and irritation.

However, it is important to note that if “a mole is flat or raised, or if has become fleshier or has hairs protruding is not an indicator of melanoma,” said Dr Boffa.

People with fair skin that burns and freckles easily are at high risk of developing melanoma. Those with numerous moles and a history of melanoma are also at high risk, said Dr Boffa.

Melanoma in men usually forms on the back, while in women it forms on the legs. It rarely occurs in childhood but can occur at any age, said Dr Boffa.

High exposure to the sun’s rays does not only cause melanoma, he added. “It induces other forms of skin cancer, which although not fatal, often produce significant disfigurement,” said Dr Boffa. “Ultraviolet rays cause premature ageing of the skin through wrinkles, blemishes, coarseness, broken veins and scaly patches.”

Surgical removal of a melanoma caught in an early stage has an excellent survival rate in the region of 90-95 per cent during the first five years.

Minimising exposure to UV rays through sun protection, and staying in the shade during the hottest hours of the day all contribute to the prevention of melanoma, said Dr Boffa.

Health Promotion Department Director Mario Spiteri said that an intense information campaign on the importance of staying out of the sun and using protection will be held in primary schools to teach children from a young age.

On Melanoma Monday, the Melanoma Skin Cancer Screening Clinic in Boffa Hospital are organising an Open Day, explained Dr Scerri.

Visits will take place strictly by appointment and all those interested can call 2298-7105 or 2298-7153.

All the data collected from the Melanoma Screening Clinic will be entered in a European Euro-Melanoma Database.