Early diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Cutaneous melanoma at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: comparison with rates in two San Francisco Bay Area counties

“…That is, the pathologist who measured LLNL tumors may have tended to record smaller thickness numbers than pathologists elsewhere, and this might explain the observed relative thinness of the LLNL melanomas. We have no evidence for such a possibility; indeed Schneider et al, 8 report that in a comparison between the consultant pathologist at LLNL and the pathologists at a nearby community-based histopathology laboratory on 14 lesions, the largest disparity in thickness was 0.2 mm.…”

Skin biopsy utilization and melanoma incidence among Medicare beneficiaries

“…In California, a large population of employees at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories underwent medical screening by dermatologists, resulting in increased diagnosis of in situ melanoma together with a decrease in melanoma mortality. 11 In Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, a year-long pilot project from 2003 to 2004 emphasizing screening for melanoma through publicity and public awareness campaigns, as well as financial incentives, was associated with a 53% increase in melanoma in women and a 26% increase in men, compared with 18% and 10% in Saarland, a comparator German state with a high-quality registry but no screening programme. The screening programme in Schleswig-Holstein was associated with an approximately 50% reduction in mortality, while neighbouring German states lacking the pilot project showed little change in…”

“…While randomized trials evaluating the impact of skin cancer screening programmes are lacking for melanoma, relevant data from two population‐based studies have been published. In California, a large population of employees at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories underwent medical screening by dermatologists, resulting in increased diagnosis of in situ melanoma together with a decrease in melanoma mortality . In Schleswig‐Holstein, Germany, a year‐long pilot project from 2003 to 2004 emphasizing screening for melanoma through publicity and public awareness campaigns, as well as financial incentives, was associated with a 53% increase in melanoma in women and a 26% increase in men, compared with 18% and 10% in Saarland, a comparator German state with a high‐quality registry but no screening programme.…”

Screening program reduced melanoma mortality at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1984 to 1996

“…Even before the program began, workforce awareness and early diagnosis may have surpassed the levels in the surrounding community 25,26,27 . At the outset of the study, which was accompanied by massive local publicity in 1984, 96% of LLNL employees reported having some knowledge regarding melanoma.…”