Melanoma awareness and self-examination practices: Results of a United States survey

Miller, Donald R.; Geller, Alan C.; Wyatt, Stephen; Halpern, Allan C.; Howell, J. B.; Cockerell, Clay J.; Reilley, Brigg; Bewerse, Barbara A.; Rigel, Darrell S.; Rosenthal, Lawrence E.; Amonette, Rex A.; Sun, Ting; Grossbart, Ted A.; Lew, Robert A.; Koh, Howard K.

doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(96)90273-x

Cited by 144 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…7 In the U.S. population, deficiencies in knowledge and practices promoting early detection have shown the need for public education. 8 Miller et al 8 surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1001 persons in the United States. They found that nearly 42% were unaware of the term melanoma and only 26% of those who were aware could identify its specific signs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These authors concluded that future educational programs should focus on increasing concern and knowledge of melanoma. 8 Oliveria et al 9 showed that awareness of skin changes was correlated with a thinner melanoma and more immediate medical attention and that knowledge of the signs and symptoms also contributed to less delay in diagnosis. Campaigns to increase awareness and promote skin self-examinations have been developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 This may suggest less awareness and knowledge of melanoma in non-Caucasians. Miller et al 8 found lower measures of melanoma knowledge and attitudes among non-Caucasians compared with Caucasians.…”

Section: Patient Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This may be accounted for by the findings of other investigators that women are more aware of the disease, more likely to participate in screening programs and perform skin self-examinations, and more likely to seek early medical evaluation of lesions. 8,18 Therefore, educational programs should specifically include increasing melanoma awareness among males.…”

Section: Detection Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thin primary cutaneous melanomas

Schwartz

Wang

Hamilton

et al. 2002

Cancer

109

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BACKGROUNDPublic awareness and education may lead to the detection of thinner melanomas, which may result in a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. Which detection patterns, lesion, and patient characteristics are associated with early detection?METHODSUsing the University of Michigan prospective melanoma database, the detection patterns, lesion characteristics, and patient characteristics of 1515 consecutive patients with in situ or invasive cutaneous melanomas were reviewed. Tumor thickness (measured in millimeters) was evaluated in relationship to detection patterns (patient, physician, spouse), lesion characteristics (change in color, size, shape/elevation, ulceration, bleeding, tenderness, itching), and patient characteristics (gender, skin type, number of atypical and clinically benign nevi, history of sunburn, personal and family history of melanoma).RESULTSPatient characteristics associated with early detection included female gender, at least one atypical nevus, greater than 20 clinically benign nevi, and/or a personal history of melanoma. Skin types I, II, and III, a history of sunburn, and/or a family history of melanoma were also associated with thinner lesions, but these associations were not statistically significant. Lesion characteristics associated with earlier detection included a change in color, size, shape/elevation, and/or itching. Physician‐detected melanomas were significantly thinner than patient or spouse‐detected lesions.CONCLUSIONSEducational campaigns should include increasing melanoma awareness in males and educating the public on the early signs and symptoms. Education should be directed at both high and low‐risk groups. Physicians should consider performing total skin examinations routinely on patients. Although they detect a relatively small percentage of all melanomas, physicians detect significantly thinner lesions. Cancer 2002;95:1562–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10880

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Patient Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Detection Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Thin primary cutaneous melanomas

Schwartz

Wang

Hamilton

et al. 2002

Cancer

109

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show abstract

“…Surveys suggest that almost half of respondents were unaware of melanoma, only a quarter of those who knew about melanoma could identify its specific signs, and more than half of the respondents did not conduct self-examinations (31,41). Fewer than 50% of respondents in another study indicated that sun exposure affected the chances of getting cancer (8).…”

Section: Interventions To Prevent Skin Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT CANCER: The Example of Skin Cancer

Baum

Cohen

1998

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Important behavioral sources of risk for cancer have been identified and programs to reduce this risk have been initiated. The most heavily studied behavioral risk is tobacco use, but considerable attention has also gone to prevention of skin cancer by modifying sun exposure. Research has shown a strong link between sun exposure and skin cancer, and opportunities to prevent this cancer by changing behavior should be effective. Unlike unmodifiable sources of risk, sun exposure should be modifiable through behavioral intervention. This review considers research in this expanding area, concentrating on predictors of sun protective behaviors, modification of sun exposure, and surveillance for early signs of cancer. The elements of behavior change programs that contribute to successful intervention as well as barriers to successful behavior change and future directions for this effort are considered.

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Avoiding sampling error in the biopsy of pigmented lesions

Stevens

Cockerell²

1996

Archives of Dermatology

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Melanoma awareness and self-examination practices: Results of a United States survey

Cited by 144 publications

References 13 publications

Thin primary cutaneous melanomas

Thin primary cutaneous melanomas

SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT CANCER: The Example of Skin Cancer

Avoiding sampling error in the biopsy of pigmented lesions

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