Melanoma control in the United States: current status

Abstract

Screening and education for melanoma/skin cancer are receiving increasing worldwide attention. In an attempt to improve melanoma control in the United States, where incidence and mortality rates continue to increase, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has provided free skin cancer screenings to more than 600,000 Americans and prevention messages to millions more. This chapter reviews and summarizes ongoing melanoma control activities in the United States, including prevention, education, and early detection/screening. We also address outcome measures in melanoma control and suggest that the unique external and visible nature of skin cancer blurs the distinction between screening and education. Measuring and evaluating the benefits of international melanoma control activities presents many challenging tasks. Future collaborative work must include complementary strategies in melanoma/skin cancer prevention, education, and screening to combat the worldwide increase in melanoma incidence and mortality.