title: Skin Examination Practices Among Melanoma Survivors and Their Children.
abstract: Many professional organizations recommend skin self-examination (SSE) as a tool for early detection of malignancy among melanoma survivors, a growing population that is at increased risk for new or recurrent melanoma. This study examined the frequency and correlates of SSE use among melanoma survivors. Additionally, we assessed skin exam use among children of survivors, who are at elevated lifetime risk for the disease. The California Cancer Registry was used to identify melanoma survivors, who were contacted, screened for eligibility, and invited to participate in a survey. The survey, administered by mail, web, or telephone, assessed a broad range of topics related to melanoma prevention in high-risk families. The present study focuses on skin examination practices of survivors and their children and potential correlates of these practices. Among a sample of 316 melanoma survivors, fewer than one in five participants performed monthly skin self-exams, a lower rate than that observed in previous studies. Although greater family history of melanoma, use of skin protection strategies, and the perceived severity of melanom were associated with more frequent use of skin self-exams, these relationships disappeared in adjusted analyses. Participants reported unexpectedly frequent use of skin examinations for their children despite the lack of professional guidelines for this practice. Interventions are needed to improve skin self-examination practices among melanoma survivors and to counsel parents about optimal melanoma prevention strategies for their children.
authors: Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Fielding School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles Young Dr. South, Room A2-125, CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6900, USA. bglenn@ucla.edu.
authors: Beth A
authors: BA
authors: Glenn
authors: David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
authors: Katherine L
authors: KL
authors: Chen
authors: Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Fielding School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles Young Dr. South, Room A2-125, CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6900, USA.
authors: L Cindy
authors: LC
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Tiffany
authors: T
authors: Lin
authors: Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Fielding School of Public Health and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles Young Dr. South, Room A2-125, CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6900, USA.
authors: Roshan
authors: R
authors: Bastani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents; D012307:Risk Factors; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Cancer; High risk; Melanoma survivor; Oncology; Screening; Skin examination