Skin cancers in Hawaii (1993)

Basal cell cancers are the most common of all cancers. They rarely metastasize and very rarely kill. Melanomas, however, do kill! An estimated 20 people in Hawaii will die this year from malignant melanoma. Early diagnosis and treatment can save much morbidity--surgery, scars and other defects--and can save lives. This manuscript reviews melanoma data from several agencies in Hawaii and from the experience of the author's private practice. In his private practice, he has seen the incidence of melanomas jump from an average of one a year in 1970 to 1975 to 7.4 each year between 1986 and 1990. While basal cell cancers and melanomas occur more in Caucasians, they are seen in all races. Everyone can get skin cancer and melanoma. Physicians must teach their patients to Practice Safe Sun--Hawaii.