BACKGROUND: More than 1 million Americans have attended the American Academy of Dermatology's Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Programs since 1985. However, there have been no reports of the participants' perceived value, satisfaction, and benefits of skin cancer screening. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to measure the benefits and subsequent screening practices of persons with presumptive positive screening diagnoses. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to participants with positive screening diagnoses in Massachusetts. RESULTS: Of the 643 respondents, 81% rated their satisfaction as high and 84% had similar ratings for the value of the screening. Screenings apparently led to an increase in self-screening (60% before screening compared with 84% after screening). CONCLUSION: Although screening appears to have relatively strong benefits, further studies should be conducted nationally.
BACKGROUND: More than 1 million Americans have attended the American Academy of Dermatology's Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Programs since 1985. However, there have been no reports of the participants' perceived value, satisfaction, and benefits of skin cancer screening. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to measure the benefits and subsequent screening practices of persons with presumptive positive screening diagnoses. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to participants with positive screening diagnoses in Massachusetts. RESULTS: Of the 643 respondents, 81% rated their satisfaction as high and 84% had similar ratings for the value of the screening. Screenings apparently led to an increase in self-screening (60% before screening compared with 84% after screening). CONCLUSION: Although screening appears to have relatively strong benefits, further studies should be conducted nationally.
Authors: Mary L Greaney; Elaine Puleo; Alan C Geller; Stephanie W Hu; Andrew E Werchniak; Susan DeCristofaro; Karen M Emmons Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-05-10 Impact factor: 3.390