Melanoma in New South Wales: an epidemiologic surgery 1970--76.

This survey of the incidence of melanoma in New South Wales, Australia, from 1970 to 1976 revealed a doubling of incidence in the seven year period. The most marked rise occurred in 1972. A marked preponderance of leg melanoma in women and trunk melanoma in men was noted. The incidence of melanoma in men continues to rise throughout life while the incidence in women levels out after the age of 50 years. A recent rapid rise in elderly men was noted. A cumulative exposure to sunlight in a susceptible population is the most likely explanation of both the rise in incidence and the site distribution of the reported melanomas.