Information and screening campaigns should particularly target rural areas, males, older people and focus on nodular, acrolentiginous and unclassified subtypes.

HNMs highly differ from MOS, and are clinically and histologically heterogeneous, possibly as a consequence of different patterns of sun exposure. These data could help to improve primary and secondary prevention messages for patients and doctors.

Sex differences in occupational and leisure time ultraviolet exposure, clothing (including shoes), hairstyle, and side and photo exposure in cars could explain these results. General preventive messages could be completed by sex-specific advice for melanoma prevention.