Early diagnosis for melanoma: is open access to skin cancer clinics really significant? A prospective study.

摘要

In Italy "Skin Cancer Day" is an education screening campaign whose main target is early detection of all skin cancers, both cutaneous melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We analyzed the demographic data, risk factors, self-awareness and visit outcome of the patients attending the "Skin Cancer Day" in an Italian city, Florence, during the campaign held on May 3, 2008. The clinical examination was open and free of charge and did not require any referral medical prescription, although the visit required booking. Of the 804 patients screened, women outnumbered men: 476 (59%) against 328 (41%). Excisional biopsy was recommended for only 24 (3%) patients; the examining dermatologists considered it appropriate to recommend a regular periodic dermatological consultation (every 6,12 or 24 months) for 189 (23.5%) patients presenting with no suspicious lesion, but with one or more risk factors for melanoma and/or NMSC.