title: Reliability of self-reported information on skin cancer among elderly patients with squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate reliability of self-reported information on skin cancer among individuals aged > 65 years with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A test-retest was performed with patients completing two questionnaires one month apart.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 102 recruited patients the response rate was 97.1% (mean age 80.9 years, 74.8% men). The majority of items showed substantial agreement: history of skin cancer screening (k = 0.88), past skin cancer in general (k = 0.92), basal cell carcinoma (k = 0.75), patient delay (k = 0.64) and total delay (k = 0.86). Agreement was high also for ages > 80 years. Recall of past SCCs (k = 0.48) and sunscreen use (k = 0.38) was less accurate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provided evidence on the reliability of patient reported skin cancer information among elderly individuals, who represent the majority of affected cases.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastroeni
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Mannooranparampil
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Passarelli
authors.forename: Clemente
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasquini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents