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Researchers examine mole changes through skin cancer screening program data
ORLANDO, Fla. — Researchers found that about a third of participants in an American Academy of Dermatology free skin cancer screening program observed a change in the size, shape or color of a mole, one of the warning signs of melanoma, according to research presented at the AAD annual meeting.
Study results presented by Derek Beaulieu, BS, in a late-breaking research forum involved the 2009-210 AAD SPOTme program data. The researchers, including Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, FAAD, performed multivariable logistics analysis to identify factors associated with first-time screening participants reporting a recent change in mole morphology.
The records for 118,085 first-time participants were analyzed, with 33% of participants reporting a recent change in shape, size or color of mole or moles.
“This result is encouraging, because it shows us that patients are keeping an eye out for suspicious spots on their skin, and that they know to see a board-certified dermatologist to evaluate these spots,” Tsao, a professor at Harvard Medical School, stated in an AAD press release.
Positive associations included higher mole counts (+50), uninsured status, non-Caucasian race, infrequent sunscreen use, higher number of blistering sunburns before the age of 20 years; female sex, personal history of melanoma and chronic indoor tanning use, according to regression analysis.
“While Caucasian men over 50 are at greatest risk for developing melanoma, skin cancer can affect anyone, so prevention and detections should be a priority for everyone” Tsao stated in the release.
“In evaluating the survey data, we observed that being uninsured was one of the factors most strongly associated with a changing mole,” Tsao stated. “For some patients, these free screenings can be lifesaving.” – by Bruce Thiel
Reference:
Beulieu BS. F085 – Late-breaking Research Forum Basic Science/Cutaneous Oncology/Pathology. Presented at: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 3-7, Orlando.
Disclosure: Healio.com/Dermatology was unable to determine any relevant financial disclosures at time of publication.