General practice consultations involving pigmented naevi presented for assessment of malignancy.
OBJECTIVE
To outline the initial general practice care of pigmented naevi presented for assessment of malignancy.


METHODS
Fifty six general practitioners completed a brief record for each patient presenting a pigmented skin lesion for assessment of malignancy; records were maintained prospectively for periods over October 1988 to April 1989. 2614 records were received.


RESULTS
Numbers of consultations increased sharply with age to peaks at 15-19 for men and 30-44 for women; at ages 20 44 the sex ratio was 1.9 (F/M). Lesions were usually typical (51%) or atypical (24%) moles. 22% of patients were biopsied by the practitioner and 8% were referred, to dermatologists (4%) or surgeons (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
The age pattern of presentations is younger than is optimal. General practitioners' decisions and actions are of crucial importance in the effective functioning of melanoma early detection programmes.
Cooke
K
K
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin.
McNoe
B
B
Spears
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009520:New Zealand; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*