Dermoscopy in skin self-examination: A useful tool for select patients

Abstract

Background: Education for patients on the technique of skin self-examination is important for improving the rate of early detection of melanoma. Strategies to improve skills in skin self-examination include the use of mnemonics to facilitate the recognition of melanoma features and photography to assist in the detection of change.

Observation: We describe 2 patients who used dermoscopy on their own initiative to help identify suspicious pigmented lesions during skin self-examination.

Conclusions: Dermoscopy has not yet been evaluated for patient use. We were intrigued by this concept and suggest that dermoscopy, with appropriate training, may improve the ability for early detection of melanoma in skin self-examination for select patients.