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Nevus counting as a risk factor for melanoma: comparison of self-count with count by physician
D D Lawson1, D H Moore, J S Schneider
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco.
Background:
The number of total body nevi is a major risk marker for malignant melanoma. No previous study has evaluated the accuracy of whole body large nevus (> or = 5 mm) self-counts.
Objective:
Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of large nevus self-counts by sex, age, educational level, body site, family history of skin cancer, and nevus characteristics.
Methods:
Self-counting of large nevi by 125 patients was compared with physician counting, with attention to nevus characteristics.
Results:
Overall, 79% of the self-counts agreed to within +/- 3 nevi of the physician's count. Analysis of variance revealed that the presence of nonpigmented or flat nevi significantly increased the chance of subject undercount, as did male sex.
Conclusion:
Self-counts of large nevi are comparable to physician's counts and may be useful for melanoma screening.
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