Accounting for about 40,000 - 50,000 new
cases in the U.S. per year, and killing about 10,000 patients out of
them, malignant melanoma is one of the most dangerous cancer challenges
of nowaday's time. Similarly alarming incidence figures have been
reported in many other countries, especially in Northern Europe and
Australia/New Zealand. With a three-decades incidence increase of more
than 100%, and an increase in mortality by more than 30%, melanoma is
one of the most lethal cancers in mankind.
Currently, one out of
70 U.S. citizens will be afflicted by melanoma sooner or later.
Despite the fact that
melanoma has the fastest incidence increase among all cancers over
recent years, it is highly preventable and can be diagnosed early
enough to prevent its fatal course. This is the reason why the MOLE
ANALYSIS GUIDE has been developed: To promote the knowledge about
the visual features of doubtful skin moles and early melanoma, and
to advise and guide through performing skin self-check exams with
the goal to educate the skills required for early diagnosis.
