Early detection of melanoma skin cancer.

Primary skin melanoma and skin cancers have been more prevalent in the previous decades and therefore have become a very significant public health problem. Dermatologists of the Skin and Venereal Diseases Clinic of the University of Sarajevo Clinics Centre initiated the first public preventive action called "Days of Fighting Melanoma" in May 2008. The objective of the campaign was to provide free dermatological examinations to all volunteers and to inform, through the media, wider population on early signs and recognition of skin cancer and the importance of sun protection. The total of 325 citizens were examined clinically and with dermatoscope in the period between 5 and 31 May 2008. The examination also included histological diagnoses: 7 patients with confirmed melanoma, 30 with basal cell carcinoma and 2 with spinocellular carcinoma. The results suggested a need for the expansion of the campaign to other towns in our country in order to demonstrate the importance of early detection of the disease and treatment options.