Julie W Merten1, Hanadi Hamadi2, Meghann Wheeler1. 1. Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA. 2. Department of Health Administration, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the lack of national skin cancer screening recommendations, a total body skin examination by a healthcare provider may detect skin cancer earlier, allowing for more effective treatment and better outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Examine prevalence, demographic, and cancer risk perceptions of adults who have had a skin examination performed by a healthcare provider. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between having a skin examination, risk perceptions, and demographic variables. RESULTS: Approximately 46% of the sample reported having a skin examination. Females, college graduates, those with a history of skin cancer, people who check their skin for signs of skin cancer, and adults over the age of 45 were more likely to have a skin examination. The people least likely to be screened were those not wanting to know their chances of getting cancer. LIMITATIONS: HINTS is a cross-sectional survey which provides only a glimpse of predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are consistent with other studies that people sometimes avoid cancer risk information. An educational intervention focused on the benefits of early cancer detection would benefit people who report not wanting to know their chances of getting cancer.
BACKGROUND: Despite the lack of national skin cancer screening recommendations, a total body skin examination by a healthcare provider may detect skin cancer earlier, allowing for more effective treatment and better outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Examine prevalence, demographic, and cancer risk perceptions of adults who have had a skin examination performed by a healthcare provider. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between having a skin examination, risk perceptions, and demographic variables. RESULTS: Approximately 46% of the sample reported having a skin examination. Females, college graduates, those with a history of skin cancer, people who check their skin for signs of skin cancer, and adults over the age of 45 were more likely to have a skin examination. The people least likely to be screened were those not wanting to know their chances of getting cancer. LIMITATIONS: HINTS is a cross-sectional survey which provides only a glimpse of predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are consistent with other studies that people sometimes avoid cancer risk information. An educational intervention focused on the benefits of early cancer detection would benefit people who report not wanting to know their chances of getting cancer.
Authors: John Charles A Lacson; Scarlet H Doyle; Jocelyn Del Rio; Stephanie M Forgas; Rodrigo Carvajal; Guillermo Gonzalez-Calderon; Adriana Ramírez Feliciano; Youngchul Kim; Richard G Roetzheim; Steven K Sutton; Susan T Vadaparampil; Brenda Soto-Torres; Peter A Kanetsky Journal: Cancer Res Commun Date: 2022-01-11
Authors: Amelia K Smit; Martin Allen; Brooke Beswick; Phyllis Butow; Hugh Dawkins; Suzanne J Dobbinson; Kate L Dunlop; David Espinoza; Georgina Fenton; Peter A Kanetsky; Louise Keogh; Michael G Kimlin; Judy Kirk; Matthew H Law; Serigne Lo; Cynthia Low; Graham J Mann; Gillian Reyes-Marcelino; Rachael L Morton; Ainsley J Newson; Jacqueline Savard; Lyndal Trevena; Sarah Wordsworth; Anne E Cust Journal: Genet Med Date: 2021-08-12 Impact factor: 8.822