Predictors of skin self-examination performance

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Skin self-examination (SSE) can decrease melanoma mortality by up to 63%.
• Improving SSE performance is key to reducing skin cancer mortality and morbidity.
• This study identified predictors of SSE in individuals at high risk for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the predictors of skin self-examination (SSE) performance.
• To identify factors influencing SSE in a high-risk population for skin cancer.
• To enhance understanding of behaviors that promote early skin cancer detection.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 200 at-risk patients were surveyed on SSE knowledge, importance, attitude, and confidence.
• Medical records were reviewed for skin examination history, physician visits, and skin malignancy diagnoses.
• Data on skin biopsies, diagnosis timelines, and insurance status were collected for the preceding 3 years.

Main Results:

• Seventy percent of participants reported performing SSE.
• Key predictors of SSE performance included positive attitude, confidence, dermatology visits with biopsies, and a history of skin carcinoma.
• Perceived risk, knowledge of warning signs, and younger age also significantly predicted SSE performance.

Conclusions:

• Annual physician skin exams and monthly SSE reinforce each other for early detection.
• Dermatologist interventions, like biopsies of suspicious lesions, encourage SSE.
• Monthly SSE is a vital personal health habit for early skin carcinoma detection and management.