Prevalence and correlates of skin self-examination practices among cutaneous malignant melanoma survivors

Abstract

Melanoma patients are at elevated risk for recurrence of the primary cancer as well as second primary melanomas. Regular skin self-examination (SSE) is recommended as part of follow-up surveillance. In this study, we examined SSE performance and comprehensiveness as well as knowledge and attitudinal correlates of SSE performance and comprehensiveness. Four hundred forty-one melanoma survivors completed measures of SSE performance as well as knowledge and attitudes about SSE and melanoma. Approximately two-thirds of the sample reported having conducted an SSE in the past two months; the average number of body parts examined was 10.64 (out of 15 maximum). Only 7.5% of the sample checked all 15 body parts. Greater worry about recurrence, fewer barriers to SSE, more planning for when to conduct SSE, and more confidence in the ability to conduct SSE and recognize a suspicious growth were associated with both SSE performance and greater SSE comprehensiveness. Physician influence was positively associated with SSE performance. Survivor education efforts may benefit from reminding survivors to check hard-to-see and sensitive areas, develop a plan for how to ask for assistance in conducting exams, as well as use mirrors to see hard-to-reach areas. Addressing perceived SSE barriers, fostering SSE planning, and improving SSE self-efficacy may be important foci for intervention efforts to enhance SSE performance and comprehensiveness.

Keywords: Melanoma survivors; Skin cancer surveillance; Skin self-exam.