Skin-check partners of patients with melanoma effectively performed skin self-examinations and identified new melanomas as part of an effort to increase early detection of the skin cancer that can be fatal, according to the results of a clinical trial published online by JAMA Dermatology.
Patients with melanoma are at increased risk of developing a second primary melanoma.
Patients with melanoma and their partners can help to manage early detection of new or recurrent melanoma with skin self-examination (SSE).
June K. Robinson, M.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, and coauthors conducted a IIB melanoma and their skin-check partners.
The study enrolled 494 participants who were assigned to either usual care (n=99) or to the skill-based intervention for SSE, which was delivered either in-person in the office (n=165), in a workbook (n= 159) or on a tablet (n=71).
Skills to recognise change in the border, colour and diameter of moles were reinforced in four-month intervals during skin examinations by a dermatologist.
Of the 494 patients, 66 developed new melanomas.
Patient-partner pairs in intervention (n=395) identified 43 melanomas.
In comparison, none of the patient-partner pairs in the comparison control group identified melanoma, according to the results.
Study limitations include relying on self-reported survey responses.
"Future research will determine if a skills-training program delivered via the web without reinforcement by the dermatologist will yield reliable sustained performance of SSE by those at risk to develop another melanoma," the study concludes.
Source: JAMA Dermatology
The World Cancer Declaration recognises that to make major reductions in premature deaths, innovative education and training opportunities for healthcare workers in all disciplines of cancer control need to improve significantly.
ecancer plays a critical part in improving access to education for medical professionals.
Every day we help doctors, nurses, patients and their advocates to further their knowledge and improve the quality of care. Please make a donation to support our ongoing work.
Thank you for your support.