Melanoma is a deadly but potentially curable type of skin cancer, largely thought to be caused by excessive and intense intermittent exposure to sunlight. The incidence of melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer and is approximately doubling every decade.
Yet, surprisingly, no surgical procedure or therapy has been shown to improve overall survival.
However, medical professionals J. Meirion Thomas and Victoria Giblin publish their findings in the British Medical Journal and say there is recent encouraging evidence that a combined strategy of public education and early diagnosis may be effective.
Although the overall incidence of melanoma continues to rise, researchers say there is evidence that the rate of increase of in-situ melanoma is falling. Studies also reveal evidence that incidence of invasive melanoma is stabilizing in individuals of 35-45 years, and younger, and that the incidence of thick melanomas (greater than 3mm) has stabilized or declined in the same age groups.
