Increase in skin cancer screening during a community-based randomized intervention trial

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Cutaneous melanoma survival is strongly linked to lesion thickness at diagnosis.
• Early detection of thin melanomas through skin screening may improve patient survival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a community-based randomized controlled trial on melanoma skin screening prevalence.
• To assess the sustainability of increased skin screening rates after intervention cessation.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year community-based randomized controlled trial involving 18 communities in Queensland, Australia.
• Monitoring skin screening prevalence via cross-sectional surveys at baseline, during the intervention, and two years post-intervention.
• Comparing whole-body clinical skin examinations and skin self-examinations between intervention and control groups.

Main Results:

• The intervention significantly increased whole-body skin examinations in intervention communities, peaking at 34.8% two years post-baseline.
• Screening prevalence declined after the intervention ceased, particularly after specialized skin clinics closed.
• Skin self-examination prevalence remained stable, with no significant changes observed in control communities.

Conclusions:

• Community-based melanoma screening programs can effectively increase clinical skin examinations.
• Sustained high rates of skin screening may necessitate the provision of ongoing, specialized skin screening clinics.
• Population-based skin cancer screening requires strategies to maintain screening participation long-term.