Patient education on effective skin self-examination: which patient groups require special attention?

摘要

The rates of skin cancer in the UK continue to rise. Currently, around 10,000 new cases of the most serious form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, are diagnosed each year with the figure expected to rise to over 15,000 new cases being diagnosed annually in 15 years time.Early melanoma detection has been shown to improve an individual's prognosis. In consideration of this, clinicians involved in the management of patients with malignant melanoma should ensure that patients are educated about how to perform effective skin self examination (SSE).In an effort to aid clinicians identify those individuals that are most in need of education regarding SSE, this report identifies which patient groups are less likely to practice regular, effective SSE.