PURPOSE: Mortalities due to skin cancer are escalating, but early detection via skin examinations can be beneficial. To date, dermatologists have not been isolated as a high-risk population for developing skin cancer, although some evidence suggests that they are a high-risk group. Therefore, the specific aims of this study were to measure the frequency at which dermatologists perform self-skin examination and receive full-body skin examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 476 respondents provided data for this cross-sectional, nine-item survey, which was e-mailed to all registered members in the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The initial invitation was sent in the summer of 2007, with reminders sent at four and eight weeks. E-mails contained a unique identifier, and each member could only respond once to the survey sent to that particular e-mail address. RESULTS: 71.7 percent of the respondents reported that they routinely gave themselves a self-skin examination, 25.4 percent reported a monthly exam, 24.5 percent every six months, 17.2 percent once per year, and 4.6 percent every five years. Performing a self-skin examination was not related to age, gender, or history of skin malignancy. Seventy-six percent of all respondents never had a full-body skin examination conducted by another dermatologist, which persisted when analyzed by age (p = 0.0490) and gender (p = 0.0184). CONCLUSION: Dermatologists are more likely to perform self-skin examination rather than visit another dermatologist for a full-body skin examination.
PURPOSE: Mortalities due to skin cancer are escalating, but early detection via skin examinations can be beneficial. To date, dermatologists have not been isolated as a high-risk population for developing skin cancer, although some evidence suggests that they are a high-risk group. Therefore, the specific aims of this study were to measure the frequency at which dermatologists perform self-skin examination and receive full-body skin examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 476 respondents provided data for this cross-sectional, nine-item survey, which was e-mailed to all registered members in the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The initial invitation was sent in the summer of 2007, with reminders sent at four and eight weeks. E-mails contained a unique identifier, and each member could only respond once to the survey sent to that particular e-mail address. RESULTS: 71.7 percent of the respondents reported that they routinely gave themselves a self-skin examination, 25.4 percent reported a monthly exam, 24.5 percent every six months, 17.2 percent once per year, and 4.6 percent every five years. Performing a self-skin examination was not related to age, gender, or history of skin malignancy. Seventy-six percent of all respondents never had a full-body skin examination conducted by another dermatologist, which persisted when analyzed by age (p = 0.0490) and gender (p = 0.0184). CONCLUSION: Dermatologists are more likely to perform self-skin examination rather than visit another dermatologist for a full-body skin examination.
Authors: Georgette L Rodriguez; Fangchao Ma; Daniel G Federman; Panta Rouhani; Stacy Chimento; Mark Multach; Robert S Kirsner Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2007-08-31 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Ahmedin Jemal; Taylor Murray; Alicia Samuels; Asma Ghafoor; Elizabeth Ward; Michael J Thun Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2003 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Alan C Geller; Zi Zhang; Arthur J Sober; Allan C Halpern; Martin A Weinstock; Simone Daniels; Donald R Miller; Marie-France Demierre; Daniel R Brooks; Barbara A Gilchrest Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 11.527