Results of the 'Euromelanoma Day' screening campaign in Sweden 2008

Abstract

Background: The 'Euromelanoma Day' skin cancer screening campaign is organized annually in several European countries since the year 2000. The national results have not been analysed in a Scandinavian country.

Objective: Our objective was to analyse the demographic characteristics and risk factors of the screened population during the 'Euromelanoma Day' in Sweden 2008. We also aimed to describe the clinical diagnoses found, the melanomas confirmed histopathologically and the treatments performed.

Methods: A public health education campaign to promote awareness of skin cancer risk factors and warning signs was carried out. Patients with suspicious lesions were advised to attend the screening. Questionnaires were used to collect relevant demographic, epidemiological and clinical data.

Results: In total, 2659 patients were screened. Women accounted for 62.3% of all patients; the median age was 57 years (range: 5-100 years); and 91.2% had skin phototypes II-III. Previous skin cancer was reported by 18.4% of all patients and 14.8% had a family history of melanoma. In total, 456 patients were diagnosed clinically with non-melanoma skin cancer. Twenty-four patients had histopathologically confirmed melanomas. Ten were in situ and 8 of the 14 invasive melanomas had a Breslow thickness that was less than 1 mm. Treatment or future medical care was carried out in 45.4% of all patients.

Conclusion: The 'Euromelanoma Day' campaign attracted many individuals at risk for skin cancer. The detection rate of non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma was relatively high compared to similar campaigns in other European countries. Most melanomas found had a favourable prognosis.