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General practice consultations involving pigmented naevi presented for assessment of malignancy
1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin.
Aim:
To outline the initial general practice care of pigmented naevi presented for assessment of malignancy.
Method:
Fifty six general practitioners completed a brief record for each patient presenting a pigmented skin lesion for assessment of malignancy; records were maintained prospectively for periods over October 1988 to April 1989. 2614 records were received.
Results:
Numbers of consultations increased sharply with age to peaks at 15-19 for men and 30-44 for women; at ages 20 44 the sex ratio was 1.9 (F/M). Lesions were usually typical (51%) or atypical (24%) moles. 22% of patients were biopsied by the practitioner and 8% were referred, to dermatologists (4%) or surgeons (4%).
Conclusions:
The age pattern of presentations is younger than is optimal. General practitioners' decisions and actions are of crucial importance in the effective functioning of melanoma early detection programmes.