Validity of self-reported skin screening histories

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Early diagnosis of melanoma through clinical skin examinations can reduce mortality.
• Objective evidence supporting the accuracy of self-reported skin examinations is limited.
• Population screening trials provide opportunities to assess recall validity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of self-reported whole-body skin examinations.
• To identify factors influencing the accuracy of recall for skin examinations.
• To provide evidence for the utility of self-reported history in melanoma screening studies.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 2,704 participants in Queensland, Australia.
• Comparison of self-reported skin examination history with medical and screening clinic records.
• Multivariate analysis to determine factors associated with recall accuracy.

Main Results:

• High validity for self-reports of examinations within the past 3 years (93.7% concordance, 92.0% sensitivity, 96.3% specificity).
• Lower concordance (74.3%) for examinations within the past 12 months, with evidence of telescoping.
• Women and younger participants demonstrated more accurate recall of skin examinations.

Conclusions:

• Self-reported history of whole-body skin examinations is a valid measure for melanoma screening research, particularly over longer recall periods.
• Understanding factors like age and sex can refine the interpretation of self-reported data.
• Accurate self-reporting supports the integration of patient history in public health initiatives for melanoma detection.