Feasibility of targeted early detection for melanoma: a population-based screening study

The feasibility of targeted screening for cutaneous malignant melanoma in the UK using a postal questionnaire and invitation to screening by a consultant dermatologist was investigated in a population based cross-sectional survey. A total of 1600 people aged 25–69 years, stratified by the social dep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of cancer 2000-05, Vol.82 (9), p.1605-1609
Main Authors: Melia, J, Harland, C, Moss, S, Eiser, J R, Pendry, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cancer Research
Dermatology
Drug Resistance
Epidemiology
Feasibility
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Medical research
Medical sciences
Melanoma
Melanoma - diagnosis
Melanoma - epidemiology
Middle Aged
Molecular Medicine
Oncology
Population Surveillance
Questionnaires
Regular
regular-article
Risk factors
Self evaluation
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skin cancer
Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis
Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
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Summary:The feasibility of targeted screening for cutaneous malignant melanoma in the UK using a postal questionnaire and invitation to screening by a consultant dermatologist was investigated in a population based cross-sectional survey. A total of 1600 people aged 25–69 years, stratified by the social deprivation score of wards within one general practice, were randomly selected from a population of 8000.1227 (77%) returned the questionnaire and 896 (56%) attended the screening clinic. Uptake was lower for men ( P < 0.001), those aged under 50 ( P < 0.001), people from deprived areas ( P < 0.001) and skin types III and IV (men only, P < 0.001). Twenty per cent of women and 10% of men felt nervous about attending the clinic, but only 4% were worried by the questionnaire. The level of agreement between the self- and dermatologist’s assessments of risk factors was best for hair colour (Kappa = 0.67, sensitivity 73% and specificity 98%). People tended to under-report their level of risk. Over 95% knew about at least one major sign, but 54% reported incorrect signs of melanoma. Targeted screening for melanoma in the UK will be hampered by difficulties in accurately identifying the target population. Strategies to improve skin self-awareness rather than screening should be developed and evaluated. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
ISSN:0007-0920
1532-1827
DOI:10.1054/bjoc.2000.1183