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. 2014 Apr:61:75-80.
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Total body skin examination for skin cancer screening among U.S. adults from 2000 to 2010

Naheed A Lakhani  1 , Mona Saraiya  2 , Trevor D Thompson  3 , Sallyann Coleman King  4 , Gery P Guy Jr  5
Affiliations

Total body skin examination for skin cancer screening among U.S. adults from 2000 to 2010

Naheed A Lakhani et al. Prev Med. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Melanoma incidence and mortality are increasing among United States adults. At present, routine skin cancer screening via total body skin examinations (TBSEs) by a physician is not recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF); while organizations such as the American Cancer Society recommend screening. Currently, there are limited data on the prevalence, correlates, and trends of TBSE among United States adults.

Methods: We analyzed data by race/ethnicity, age, and skin cancer risk level, among other characteristics from three different National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) cancer control supplements conducted every five years since 2000 in random United States households. High-risk status and middle-risk status were defined based on the USPSTF criteria (age, race, sunburn, and family history).

Results: Prevalence of having at least one TBSE increased from 14.5 in 2000 to 16.5 in 2005 to 19.8 in 2010 (P<0.0001). In 2010, screening rates were higher among the elderly, the fair-skinned, those reporting sunburn(s), and individuals with a family history of skin cancer. Approximately 104.7million (51.1%) U.S. adults are at high-risk for developing melanoma, of which 24.0% had at least one TBSE.

Conclusions: TBSE rates have been increasing since 2000 both overall and among higher-risk groups. Data on screening trends could help tailor future prevention strategies.

Keywords: Cancer screening; Early diagnosis of cancer; Melanoma; Skin cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A: Weighted percentage of U.S. adults who reported ever having a total body skin examination (TBSE) to screen for skin cancer overall and by age, and year, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2000, 2005, and 2010. B: Weighted percentage of U.S. adults who reported ever having a total body skin examination (TBSE) to screen for skin cancer by gender, and race/ethnicity, and year, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2000, 2005, and 2010.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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