Targeting early detection of malignant melanoma of the skin

Incidence and mortality rates, and clinical stage at diagnosis were analysed for malignant melanoma of the skin in recent years to assist in identifying high risk groups. Over 12 years to 1985-6 age standardised melanoma mortality rates in the nonMaori population increased 90% among men and 16% among women. In most age groups the male death rate was twice the female rate. Almost half the deaths from melanoma in 1983-6 were in men aged 45 or older. Age standardised incidence rates, for each sex, continued to increase to 1983-4. Among older age groups melanomas were less likely to be localised at diagnosis. This fall in localisation occurred at much younger ages (about 40) among men than among women. Middle aged men and older men and women are important target groups for education about the early detection of melanoma.