A LOCAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

The growing incidence of all kinds of skin cancer is a worldwide pheno menon observed in the last decades. Malignant melanoma is of special c oncern because of its high death rate when in an advanced stage, poor therapeutic response and fast growing incidence. Malignant melanoma is primarily located on the skin and therefore well suited for early can cer detection. The ''Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft'' carried o ut a highly successful information campaign in Germany. Under this roo f we organised different campaigns. Following considerable success in a campaign in 1989, a total of 1467 patients were examined and advised in the course of a local initiative (Education Campaign 'Black cancer '') in the city of Bochum (approximately 400,000 inhabitants) in the s ummer of 1991. In addition to full body examinations, important data w ere collected concerning the degree of knowledge about skin cancer, ep idemiology, and the risk of skin cancer in general. As a result of the clinical examinations, 73 patients with strongly suspected skin cance r have been treated. Within this group, 14 malignant melanomas (1.0%) as well as 34 basal cell carcinomas (1.9%) were diagnosed. These numbe rs highly exceed the assumed risk incidence of skin cancer in Germany. Even on the assumption that the population was selective it is to be feared that a high number of individuals with skin cancer remain undet ected and untreated. The majority of persons seeking advice had been m otivated by the local media. The response and results of this local ca mpaign indicate that further preventive measures for the general popul ation in Europe are conceivable, meaningful and urgently needed.