The Rise and Fall of German Melanoma Rates

Results of two tests of skin cancer screening effectiveness

Early results of the SCREEN (Skin Cancer Research to Provide Evidence for Effectiveness of Screening in Northern Germany) project in Germany were incredibly promising. Between July 2003 and June 2004, 20% of individuals aged 20 years and older in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany were screened by dermatologists and by nondermatologist practitioners. Interim analysis in 2008 indicated that melanoma mortality rates in this state dropped by 47% and 49% in men and women, respectively. Subsequently, nationwide screening in was adopted throughout Germany. These authors report data on melanoma incidence and mortality trends in Schleswig-Holstein and throughout Germany since 2008.

The authors used data from German and WHO mortality databases to compare …

Reviewing Author

Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical

EquityLubax

Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal

Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)