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Published on: September 7, 2013
Epidemiology of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Reunion Island
E Chirpaz1, J Warocquier2, C Filisetti3
1Registre des Cancers de La Réunion, CHU de La Réunion, Saint Denis 97400, La Réunion, France; Inserm CIC-1410, CHU de La Réunion, Saint Pierre 97400, La Réunion, France.
Introduction:
The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of CMM in Reunion Island, a French overseas department whose population is characterized by high ethnic diversity and high exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study examined all cases of in situ CMM and invasive CMM diagnosed between 1 January and 31 December 2015 in the Reunionese population.
Results:
One hundred and three new cases of CMM were recorded in Reunion Island in 2015: 33 cases of in situ CMM and 70 cases of invasive CMM. The sex ratio of men to women was 1.3 and 80% of patients had a fair skin phototype (Fitzpatrick skin phototype≤III). Age-standardized incidence rates of invasive CMM for all skin phototypes combined were 6.7/100,000 person-years (PY) in women and 5.3/100,000 PY in men. Crude incidence rates of invasive CMM for fair skin phototypes were estimated to be over 21/100,000 PY in women and over 25/100,000 PY in men.
Conclusions:
In Reunion Island, the incidence of CMM in the population with fair skin phototype is very high. Primary and secondary prevention measures should be reinforced and tailored to the local context.
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