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Total-body photography may reduce melanoma worry in patients with atypical mole syndrome
The use of total-body digital photography may reduce concerns about melanoma development among patients with atypical mole syndrome, according to study results.
Molly S. Moye, MD, of the department of dermatology at Emory University, and colleagues evaluated 138 patients seen at pigmented lesion clinics at Emory (n=93) and the University of Arizona (n=45).
Participants completed a series of four surveys pertaining to cancer worry and inherent levels of depression, anxiety and optimism. The surveys utilized the Melanoma Worry Scale, the Revised Impact of Event Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Life Orientation Test.
After completing these questionnaires at baseline, participants with atypical mole syndrome underwent mole-mapping with total-body digital photography (TBDP). Participants received digital copies of these images for skin self-evaluation purposes. Participants completed surveys 3 and 6 months after TBDP.
Change in Melanoma Worry Scale and Revised Impact of Event Scale scores served as the primary outcomes.
Of the 138 participants enrolled, 107 completed all surveys; of these patients, 54 had a personal history of melanoma and 53 did not.
Possible Melanoma Worry Scale scores range from 4 to 17. Overall, Moye and colleagues observed low Melanoma Worry Scale scores at baseline (median, 8; range, 6-11).
Characteristics predictive of higher baseline Melanoma Worry Scale scores included female gender, personal history of melanoma, and higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores.
Melanoma Worry Scale scores decreased after TBDP.
Patients with a personal history of melanoma demonstrated significant decreases in worry on all scales after TBDP, suggesting a reduction in worry related to new and recurrent melanomas.
Patients without a personal history of melanoma demonstrated significant decreases only in the new melanoma Revised Impact of Event Scale score.
“These findings suggest that TBDP should not be limited to patients with a personal history of melanoma, but should be offered to patients with atypical mole syndrome, especially those who seem to be particularly anxious or worried about developing melanoma,” Moye and colleagues wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant disclosures.