Poverty influences melanoma survival rates, new research suggests

Irish melanoma patients living in the most deprived areas are less likely to survive than more affluent patients, according to research conducted by a Cork hospital and the NCRI.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease. At the recent Irish Association of Dermatologists meeting on “Skin Cancer”, held in conjunction with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, new survival figures were presented on melanoma in Ireland. A collaborative study between the Department of Dermatology at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH), Cork and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) has shown that melanoma survival is poorest in males from deprived areas, especially those over 50 years old. Traditionally melanoma is seen as a disease of people from affluent backgrounds and most public health measures are aimed at this group. Indeed, the Cork research team found that early (Stage 1) melanomas were seen most frequently in those from the least deprived areas. However, those from the most deprived areas presented more commonly with tumours at a later stage (Stage 2-4) and were also more likely to die from the disease Targeting men from deprived areas regarding melanoma and needs to become a health promotion priority, and the Irish Cancer Society, in partnership with the Irish Melanoma Forum, is taking part in a public education meeting on melanoma in the Stanley Quek Hall at the Biosciences Institute in Trinity College Dublin on Thursday, November 22nd next. The evening is scheduled to include talks from Dr Patrick Ormond, Consultant Dermatologist at St James Hospital, Prof John Crown, Consultant Medical Oncologist at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dr David Gallagher, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Mater Hospital, Prof Mario Sznol, MD of Yale Cancer Centre, Dr Paul Donnellan, Founder and Member of the Irish Melanoma Forum, and John McCormack, the CEO of the Irish Cancer Society. For further information on this public meeting call Valerie on 061-476800.