Role of primary care in the prevention of malignant melanoma.

One of the targets for health in the United Kingdom is the reduction in the year-on-year increase in the incidence of skin cancer. Most of the mortality associated with skin cancer is attributable to malignant melanoma. One possible way to reduce the incidence of malignant melanoma is to develop a strategy for prevention based in primary care. This paper considers the arguments for and against three possible strategies: giving general advice; identifying patients at high risk; and undertaking early diagnosis. It is concluded that elements of all three strategies are likely to prove useful, but that major studies need to be undertaken before any strategy is adopted on a national basis.