Clinical Outcomes of Free, Public Skin Cancer Screening Events, Rhode Island, 2015-2019

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Malignant melanoma causes approximately 30 deaths annually in Rhode Island.
• Early detection of skin cancer significantly reduces mortality risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of public beach skin cancer screenings in raising awareness and detecting malignancy.
• To evaluate the outcomes of participants referred for suspicious lesions.

Main Methods:

• Dermatology volunteers and public health professionals conducted 27 free skin cancer screenings at public beaches between 2015 and 2019.
• Participants with suspicious lesions were referred for follow-up, and outcomes were ascertained via telephone.

Main Results:

• Out of 2354 individuals screened, 597 (25%) were referred for further evaluation.
• Follow-up by telephone reached 319 (53%) of referred participants.
• Diagnoses included 7 malignant melanomas, 32 keratinocyte carcinomas, and 34 actinic keratoses, with a number needed to biopsy (NNB) of 3.0 and a number needed to screen (NNS) of 18.3.

Conclusions:

• Convenient skin cancer screening events are valuable for early detection and public health.
• The study suggests the effectiveness and desirability of similar public health interventions for skin cancer screening.