Did you say melanoma? You'd be correct, according to the Melanoma Foundation of New England.

The deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma is getting diagnosed more often than ever thanks to greater awareness about the disease among patients.

In Maine, new cases have climbed from 380 in 2005 to 410 in 2007, says the American Cancer Society. That's no surprise if you look at demographics, said Sue Clifford, a spokeswoman for the cancer society.

The Pine Tree state is one of the whitest in the country, and "melanoma is primarily a disease for white people," Clifford said. "The rates are more than 10 times more for Caucausians than other ethnicities."

The incidence is also rising because Maine is the oldest state in the union.

"The older you are, the more exposure you have had to the sun," Clifford said.

Said Diane Peterson, who co-chairs the state's Skin Cancer Task Force: "People used to go lay out on the black tar roof and spread on baby oil in the 1960s, and 1970s. Now these people are in their 50s, and 60s."

To meet the growing need, the Cancer Community Center in South Portland is launching its first melanoma support group. It will meet the fourth Tuesday of each month, starting next week.

To learn more about the support group, visit the Cancer Community Center or call 774-2200.

For more information on melanoma, log onto the Melanoma Foundation of New England Web site or visit the American Cancer Society.

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