ABSTRACT
Incidence and mortality rates of cutaneous melanoma have increased steeply in recent decades in most Western industrialized countries (Muir et al., 1987). With increasing concern about ozone depletion occurring throughout the world, fears have been expressed about increased risk of melanoma as a result of the increased ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (Jones, 1987). Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. The incidence in Australia is related to latitude of residence, but even in the southernmost mainland state of Victoria, the age-standardized incidence rate in 1988 was 22.8/100,000 men and 21.3/100,000 women (Giles, Farrugia, Silver, & Staples, 1992). Not only has concern about melanoma prevention been expressed in Australian health policy documents (Health for All Australians Committee, 1988), but it has also been identified as a cancer prevention priority for Europe (MacKie et al., 1991).
