There are ten points on which it is possible to intervene to improve the early diagnosis of the most dangerous skin cancer, melanoma, and – consequently – survival: being able to arrange specialist visits within 30 days of suspicion, constant use of the dermatoscope, screening visit thorough, timely surgical interventions and histological reporting, adequate doctor-patient communication, use of the BRAF molecular test, multidisciplinary approach to treatment and follow up. These are the main points of the Decalogue of Recommendations, drawn up in recent months as part of the “Target Melanoma” project.
Target Melanoma is an initiative promoted by the Italian Association of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Patients (AIMAME), the Italian Melanoma Patients Association (APaIM), Emme Rouge and Melanoma Italia Onlus (MIO), sponsored by ADOI (Italian Hospital Dermatologists-Venereologists Association) , AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology), IMI (Italian Melanoma Intergroup), SIDeMaST (Italian Society of Medical, Surgical, Aesthetic Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI), and supported thanks to the unconditional contribution of Pierre Fabre and Eau Thermale Avène. The Decalogue was discussed during the 27th Annual National Congress of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI), taking place in Turin.
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“The number of new cases that occur every year is increasing, and above all the increase found among young people worries”, underlines Ignazio Stanganelli, President of IMI, Associate Professor of the University of Parma and Director of the Oncological Dermatology Center – Skin Cancer Unit of the Tumors Institute of Romagna: “For this reason we are deeply convinced that it is necessary to promote early diagnosis also through the recommendations of the ‘Target Melanoma’ project. Through the document we want to intervene at 360 degrees to drastically reduce advanced diagnoses. It is necessary to respect established times in the administration of the diagnostic tests and in the delivery of the results. Also the communication between doctor and patient, which must be improved: in the Recommendations it is recommended that the diagnosis be communicated directly by the doctor to his client, while today about half of the patients collect the result at a help desk “.
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The recommendations have already been publicly presented and shared with the institutions, in particular with the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza and Undersecretary Pierpaolo Sileri, with the aim of encouraging primary and secondary prevention campaigns as soon as possible to inform citizens about the rules of correct exposure to the sun, the risks associated with the use of sunlamps and the importance of regular monitoring of moles by the dermatologist. “The positive example – continues Stanganelli – is that of Australia which in recent years has managed to drastically reduce new cases of melanoma thanks also to initiatives aimed at the entire population. Even in Italy, the decline in the incidence of invasive melanoma has been demonstrated, after decades of constant increase, in the young population ”.
“The results of the ‘Target Melanoma’ project are relevant for dermatologists, citizens and institutions, because they all have a role in primary and secondary cancer prevention – concludes Chiara Puri Purini, vice president of Melanoma Italia Onlus, who presented the Decalogue at the congress: “As Patient Associations, backed by the results and relying on a Board of experts, we intend to continue the dialogue with the institutions to obtain a table aimed at defining a national screening program for people at risk, and for implement a national plan for the education of young people ”.
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