A retrospective cohort study of melanoma prevalence stratified by body site in a Regional Australian Population 1994-2017: Site-specific protective mechanisms.

Background: Australia has the highest incidence of cutaneous melanoma worldwide. Previous studies have identified some body areas (forearms and dorsal hands) have lower rates of melanoma than expected when compared with other similarly exposed areas, leading to the suggestion that endogenous immunological protective mechanisms in certain body sites may exist.

Aims And Methods: We hypothesise that examination of melanoma by body site in a regional Australian setting would demonstrate no significant variation in the incidence of melanoma across highly sun exposed areas including the head and neck and upper limbs.