Population-Based Melanoma Screening Using Integrated Risk Scores in Australia: A Narrative Review to Determine...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Melanoma poses a significant healthcare burden in Australia, necessitating early detection strategies.
• Targeted screening for high-risk individuals is proposed to optimize healthcare resource allocation.
• Integrated risk scores, combining polygenic risk scores (PRS) and non-genetic factors, offer superior melanoma risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify evidence gaps and key issues for implementing population-based melanoma integrated risk scores in Australia.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using integrated risk scores for identifying high-risk individuals.

Main Methods:

• This study conducted a narrative review of existing literature.
• The review focused on identifying research and infrastructure needs for melanoma integrated risk score implementation.

Main Results:

• Key research needs include understanding melanoma progression, defining target populations, addressing performance across ancestries, establishing risk thresholds, and investigating clinical utility.
• Essential infrastructure requirements encompass equitable access to care, guidelines for PRS and integrated risk score generation, healthcare rebates, computational resources, workforce training, and insurance protections.

Conclusions:

• Integrated risk scores hold potential for targeted high-risk melanoma screening in Australia.
• Significant evidence and infrastructure challenges require resolution prior to program implementation.