Italy passes melanoma prevention law, dermatologists demand inclusion in screening

On 15 May 2026 Italy approved law no. 99 ‘Disposizioni per la prevenzione e la diagnosi precoce del melanoma e istituzione della Giornata nazionale per la prevenzione del melanoma’, establishing a national day for melanoma prevention and outlining measures to curb the disease’s rising incidence. The Association of Italian Hospital Dermatologists and Venereologists (ADOI) welcomed the legislation, stating it is “an important signal of attention towards a pathology whose incidence continues to grow” and emphasizing that primary prevention and early diagnosis are the most effective ways to reduce mortality, health‑care costs and patients’ quality‑of‑life impact.

ADOI, however, warned that article 4 of the law omits any reference to dermatologists in the screening pathways, despite involving prevention departments, community doctors, general practitioners and pharmacies. The association urged an amendment to explicitly include dermatologists, noting that “early diagnosis of melanoma cannot dispense with the role of the dermatologist.” It also called for strict quality controls, clear organisational standards and specialist supervision for tele‑consultation and tele‑dermatology services introduced by the law, stressing that such technologies must be scientifically validated to protect public health. ADOI expressed readiness to cooperate with institutions to develop safe, evidence‑based screening models that place dermatologists at the centre of melanoma prevention.