Orthodox Jews have a lower incidence of malignant melanoma. A note on the potentially protective role of traditional clothing.

The incidence of malignant melanoma (MM) in orthodox and non-orthodox Jews in Israel during the years 1970-1982 was compared through an assessment of incidence rates in the orthodox and non-orthodox neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem and by a comparison of the rates in 2 cities on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, one of which has a strongly orthodox population. Within the city of Jerusalem the incidence of MM for the European-American born in the orthodox neighborhoods was significantly lower than in the rest of the city in males, and of borderline significance in females. A similar pattern was seen upon comparison of the orthodox city of Bnei Brak to its neighbor city, Givatayim. The findings are consistent with the role of sun exposure in the etiology of malignant melanoma.