Epidemiology of melanoma in rural southern Queensland

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study is to define the epidemiology of melanoma in rural communities in southern Queensland. Design: The design used was a 6-year clinical record audit of melanoma cases identified by billing records and electronic clinical records, confirmed and typed with histology. Setting and Participants: This study was based on seven agricultural communities on the Darling Downs with patients presenting to local primary care clinics. Main outcome measures: Outcomes measured were confirmed type, depth and anatomic distribution of melanoma identified at these practices during the study period. Results:The results from 317 cases of melanoma found anatomic distribution was significantly different (χ 2 = 9.6, P < 0.05) to that reported previously from the Queensland Cancer Registry. A high proportion (87%) of melanoma diagnosed by these general practitioners were 1 mm or less when treated. Conclusions: Conclusions drawn from these findings are that melanoma risk is not so much lesser in rural, inland communities compared with coastal and metropolitan regions, but different. Differences may relate to comprehensive data capture available in rural community studies and to different sun exposure and protection behaviours. The higher proportion of melanoma identified at early stages suggests rural primary care is an effective method of secondary prevention. K E Y W O R D Sepidemiology, melanoma, rural

A Clinicoepidemiological Study of Melanoma in Young Patients (20 Years of Age or Less) in Alberta, Canada, From 1992 to 2011

“…8,10,12,16,40 In adults with darker skin, the melanomas were more common in lower limbs, hips, and trunk, but in adults with lighter skin, melanomas were more predominant in sun-exposed sites, especially the head and neck, but could also be found in the trunk and upper limbs. [41][42][43][44] Possible differences in sun exposure behaviors might result in different sites of melanoma occurrence. 5 In our study, we have found that the majority of our melanomas have developed in the trunk with the highest mortality at 38%.…”