Melanoma is the leading cause of all deaths related to skin cancer, killing more than 8,000 people annually in the U.S., mostly men due to late detection.

Nearly 60,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma this year. Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29 and second only to breast cancer in women ages 30 to 34. Risk factors include fair skin, freckles, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes, a history of sunburns at an early age and a family history of skin cancer.

The number of melanoma cases is rising faster than any other cancer and is projected to affect one person in 50 by 2010, up from one in 75 currently. In 1935, only one in 1,500 was diagnosed with the disease.

More than 90 percent of melanomas are caused by ultraviolet radiation either from the sun or tanning salons. Dr. Huth said the best way to avoid the disease is to prevent excessive sun exposure with sunblock, hats and clothing.

About 1,300 men and women are being recruited nationally for this trial, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.

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