Risk of melanoma doubles every decade

Maltese people born in 2000 have a one in 70 chance of contracting the skin cancer melanoma.

Latest figures show that between 10 and 12 Maltese people out of every 100,000 contract the cancer, Malta Association of Dermatology and Venereology president Joseph Pace said yesterday.

"The risk of contracting melanoma doubles every 10 years," he said.

If melanoma is caught early, it can be removed with a small operation. However, melanoma is a fast-spreading cancer, and the more it advances, the less effective chemotherapy and radiotherapy are.

"Melanoma will not kill you if you catch it early enough. Catching it early means saving yourself," he stressed.

Yesterday Professor Pace launched the second phase of the Gozo Melanoma Screening Study, which aims to scan every Gozitan over 16 years old through a computer-aided diagnostic examination.

The system, which was developed by Italian dermatological researchers Marco Burroni and Giordana dell'Eva, is based on a computer-linked dermatoscope that enables the assessment of certain characteristics of pigmented lesions that are not visible to the naked eye.

Professor Pace told The Sunday Times that the equipment has a database of around 5,000 different images of melanoma lesions, and the equipment will beep when a particular lesion on a person's body matches an image. It is suggested that the use of this advanced technology can increase diagnostic accuracy from 75 to 92 per cent.

Gozo was chosen because, due to it being a small island with a distinct genetic population, its whole population can be scanned in the first worldwide study to analyse a whole population. In fact, similar studies have taken place in certain places, but not all the population could be analysed.

"Considering 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," Professor Pace said.

Although all Gozitans are being invited to be scanned, 7,000 people have been randomly chosen, and Professor Pace said they will be asked to take the test. The sample was chosen to add statistical significance to clinical findings and enable comparison with similar populations abroad.

He stressed that it is very beneficial for the person to have the test because, if there was a beginning of melanoma, it could be identified and treated immediately. The three-year study is being sponsored by the Bank of Valletta and Middle Sea Insurance.

Professor Pace also stressed the importance of stepping up the local sun awareness campaign. "It should be melanoma day everyday, with people never staying out in the sun, and checking their moles," he said.

In a bid to increase awareness, an open day will be held on Sunday at the Gozo Hospital outpatients department, which will be preceded by a Mass for people who died of melanoma, and essay competitions for children will also be organised. Meanwhile, the locality with the highest percentage of participants will be given a prize.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono highlighted the importance of the study, adding that health was a priority and the healthier the population the better.

"Thanks to this new technology, we can identify the problem at its start and there is a good chance of curing it," she said.

Mrs Debono said the ministry is trying to disperse as much information about the study as possible, in a bid to increase awareness.

"I appeal to Gozitans to make use of this technology because it can help us remain healthy," she said.