Melanoma screening: results of the first one-day campaign in Belgium ('Melanoma Monday')

Background Although the incidence of melanoma is increasing and many inform ative campaigns have been organized. The general population is still little informed about this tumour. Aims To organize a media campaign, with more relevant information and the o pportunity for free skill inspections. Methods A 'Task Force' organized a media campaign in April 1999 and convinc ed 65% of the Belgian dermatologists to give up 4 h of their time to do fre e skin examinations for skin cancer on Monday 26 April 1999; it was called 'Melanoma Monday: Results A total 2767 patients were screened. We found 25 melanomas and susp ected 59 basal cell carcinomas. In the following 4 weeks another 141 melano mas were found. These 166 melanomas found in one month represent 15 -20% of the total number of melanomas per year in Belgium. Summary A media campaign with relevant information combined with screening opportunities can lead to the early detection of melanomas in a large numbe r of patients and can continue to alert people at risk in the following wee ks.