title: One year experience of a model for melanoma continuous prevention in the city of Jaú (São Paulo), Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Worldwide incidence of melanoma has increased in recent years faster than any other cancer. Although it represents only 4% of skin cancers it is nevertheless responsible for 60% of skin cancer deaths. This makes melanoma a public health problem.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was the development of a continuous program for melanoma prevention and early detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A city of around 130,000 inhabitants in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, was chosen for the development of a pilot project covering primary prevention and early diagnosis of melanoma. A nursing team worked for approximately 30 days in each of the 13 health centers in the city of Jaú (SP), providing guidance on self-examination of the skin, photoprotection and recognition of early signs of melanoma. Patients with suspicious lesions were immediately sent to the reference hospital for medical and dermoscopic screening. Excisional biopsies were performed on suspected melanomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4 four cases of early stage melanoma and 3 dysplastic nevi were diagnosed. Of the people interviewed, 74% worked either part-time or full-time exposed to sun and over 60% claimed to never use sunscreen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a new and effective model for melanoma prevention and early diagnosis. In short, the melanoma prevention program is able to quickly identify suspicious lesions, leading to early diagnosis and better chances of survival.
authors: Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Brasil. gasalvio@hotmail.com
authors: Ana Gabriela
authors: AG
authors: Salvio
authors: Ary
authors: A
authors: Assumpção Júnior
authors: José Getúlio Martins
authors: JG
authors: Segalla
authors: Beatriz Lhanos
authors: BL
authors: Panfilo
authors: Helen Renata
authors: HR
authors: Nicolini
authors: Reniele
authors: R
authors: Didone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult