Factors influencing participation in cutaneous screening among individuals with a family history of melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Targeting higher risk individuals, such as melanoma patients' first-degree relatives, may be more efficient than mass skin cancer screening.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to examine prevalence and predictors of total cutaneous examination in first-degree relatives.


METHODS
Ninety-five first-degree relatives completed questionnaires assessing demographic and risk characteristics, perceived risk, perceived severity, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and total skin examination. Fourteen months later, first-degree relatives were asked if they had obtained a total skin examination during follow-up.


RESULTS
At baseline, 47% reported at least one total cutaneous examination and 27% had a health care provider recommendation for total skin examination. At follow-up, 37% had obtained a total skin examination. Baseline and follow-up total cutaneous examination was associated with more risk factors, higher education, provider recommendation, and greater perceived risk and severity. In multivariate analyses, provider recommendation and college education predicted follow-up total skin examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Data were self reported. Knowledge, health-care access, and follow-up provider recommendation were not assessed.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians and other providers may be influential in promoting total cutaneous examination in first-degree relatives.
Azzarello
Lora M
LM
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612-9416, USA.
Jacobsen
Paul B
PB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003376:Counseling; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008499:Medical Records; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires