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Recent skin self‐examination and doctor visits in relation to melanoma risk and tumour depth
Author(s) -
Titus L.J.,
CloughGorr K.,
Mackenzie T.A.,
Perry A.,
Spencer S.K.,
Weiss J.,
AbrahamsGessel S.,
Ernstoff M.S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12003
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , physical examination , odds ratio , confidence interval , dermatology , skin cancer , population , risk factor , logistic regression , cancer , environmental health , cancer research
Summary Background Little is known about the potential benefit of skin self‐examination for melanoma prevention and early detection. Objectives To determine whether skin self‐examination is associated with reduced melanoma risk, self‐detection of tumours, and reduced risk of deeper melanomas. Methods We used data from a population‐based case–control study (423 cases, 678 controls) to assess recent skin self‐examination in relation to self‐detection, melanoma risk and tumour depth ( ≤1 mm; > 1 mm). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of interest. Results Skin self‐examination conducted 1–11 times during a recent year was associated with a possible decrease in melanoma risk (OR 0·74; 95% CI 0·54–1·02). Melanoma risk was decreased for those who conducted skin self‐examination and saw a doctor (OR 0·52; 95% CI 0·30–0·90). Among cases, those who examined their skin were twice as likely to self‐detect the melanoma (OR 2·23; 95% CI 1·47–3·38), but self‐detection was not associated with shallower tumours. Tumour depth was reduced for those who conducted skin self‐examination 1–11 times during a recent year (OR 0·39; 95% CI 0·18–0·81), but was not influenced by seeing a doctor, or by conducting skin self‐examination and seeing a doctor. Conclusions Risk of a deeper tumour and possibly risk of melanoma were reduced by skin self‐examination 1–11 times annually. Melanoma risk was markedly reduced by skin self‐examination coupled with a doctor visit. We cannot, however, exclude the possibility that our findings reflect bias or confounding. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of skin self‐examination for melanoma prevention and early detection.