The eighth campaign of Euro-Melanoma day, which falls on 7 May, will focus on increasing awareness and protection among men, especially in light of the increasing incidence of melanoma in people aged over 60.

“We want to pass the message that putting on sunscreen is not something that only women do,” Dr Joseph Pace, president of the Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venerology, said yesterday.

The campaign will also focus on people, such as postmen and construction workers, whose work leaves them no choice but to work in the sun.

The head of the Dermatology Department, Lawrence Scerri said the incidence of melanoma had been increasing over the years.

The highest increase was registered in people who were aged 60 years and over.

Dr Scerri said that melanoma in people of this age group was caused by years of sun damage that took place a long time ago.

There are three types of melanomas: thin, medium and thick, he said.

“The incidence of thick melanoma did not increase substantially, which is very positive and a clear indication that the awareness campaigns are getting through,” said Dr Scerri.

Furthermore, he added, there was a higher increase of thin and medium melanoma because people were becoming aware of the problem.

Between 1993 and 2005, there were 136 new cases of melanoma reported, and 68 deaths between 1993 and 2006, he said.

However, Dr Scerri said, the overall five-year survival rate increased from 74 per cent between 1993 and 1997 to 92 per cent between 1998 and 2002.

The five-year survival rate for people who were diagnosed with a thin melanoma was 93 per cent, 77 per cent for a diagnosis of a medium melanoma and 56 per cent for a diagnosis of a thick melanoma.

“These figures are a clear indication that there is a trend of an early detection rate,” said Dr Scerri.

Although the incidence of melanoma was higher in women during the first five years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:6, this was inverted in the second five years with a higher incidence of melanoma in men with a female-to-male ratio of 0:9.

When the Ultra-Violet index (UV) is over seven, staying in the sun was dangerous and the public had to take full protective measures, he said.

Dr Scerri also spoke about the dangers of UV-tanning. “As long as fake tanning does not make use of UV rays, it is safe.”

However, he said, it was important to keep in mind that fake tan did not protect the body against UV damage.

Consultant Michael Boffa explained that melanoma can develop in a pre-existing mole and all over the body.

“Melanoma tends to form on the back in men and on the legs in women,” he added.

Melanoma rarely occurred before puberty and moles were very common in children, said Dr Boffa.

However, he cautioned people to become suspicious when moles appear for the first time when they are adults.

Surgical removal is the most effective way of removing the melanoma and early treatment is key to beating the cancer, said Dr Boffa.

He pointed out that staying out of the sun during peak hours, wearing suitable clothes and wearing sunscreen are ways of avoiding melanoma.

However, said Dr Boffa, there is no sunscreen that effectively blocks out the UV rays completely, adding that it has to be reapplied at regular intervals.

Health Promotion Department director Mario Spiteri said that this year’s campaign targets the male macho image within the working population.

“We will be working directly with the police force and people who have to stay long hours in the sun because of their job,” explained Dr Spiteri.

Sunscreen samples supplied by the campaign’s sponsors will be handed out to the men, who hopefully will realise that using sunscreen will not make them effeminate, he added.

The public have the opportunity to make an appointment with the Melanoma Skin Cancer Screening Clinic within the Department of Dermatology on Euro-Melanoma Day, which falls on 7 May.

Dr Scerri said that all those who have a skin lesion and would like to have it checked can make an appointment by calling on tel.: 2298-7105 or 2298-7153.

On 5 and 6 May, a fake tan marathon will be held at the Embassy in Valletta and Baystreet. Airbrush tanning will be done at a nominal fee and the funds will go to the Euro-Melanoma campaign.