Incidence of malignant melanoma in Central Hesse, Germany

The incidence of melanoma in Central Hesse, the catchment area of the Dermatological Clinic of the University of Giessen, was 11.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1984. The incidences in the different districts are relatively equa, varying only between 9.7 and 12.4 in 5 of 6 districts. In Central Hesse, too, the frequency of melanoma has steadily increased since 1970, the rates for 1984 being fivefold in both men and women. Apart from the real increase, this is probably due to an intensive public and professional melanoma education project and higher public awareness.