BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the accuracy of visual skin examination by dermatologists as a skin cancer and melanoma screening tool. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the number of false-negative findings in a skin cancer-melanoma screening program. METHODS: We obtained follow-up information regarding 1551 persons with a negative screening result in a skin cancer-melanoma screening program in 1990. Follow-up was established by record linkage with two different population-based registries. RESULTS: Fifteen persons had new skin cancers. Three of their lesions had been present at the original screening and had probably been missed; 12 were genuinely new. No melanomas were among the missed cases. The calculated sensitivity of the screening was 93.3%, its specificity was 97.8%, its positive predictive value was 54.0%, and its negative predictive value was 99.8%. CONCLUSION: Visual examination by dermatologists as a screening tool for skin cancer and melanoma is appropriate.
BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the accuracy of visual skin examination by dermatologists as a skin cancer and melanoma screening tool. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the number of false-negative findings in a skin cancer-melanoma screening program. METHODS: We obtained follow-up information regarding 1551 persons with a negative screening result in a skin cancer-melanoma screening program in 1990. Follow-up was established by record linkage with two different population-based registries. RESULTS: Fifteen persons had new skin cancers. Three of their lesions had been present at the original screening and had probably been missed; 12 were genuinely new. No melanomas were among the missed cases. The calculated sensitivity of the screening was 93.3%, its specificity was 97.8%, its positive predictive value was 54.0%, and its negative predictive value was 99.8%. CONCLUSION: Visual examination by dermatologists as a screening tool for skin cancer and melanoma is appropriate.
Authors: Angela Jiang; Itisha S Jefferson; S Kayo Robinson; Dana Griffin; William Adams; Jodi Speiser; Laura Winterfield; Anthony Peterson; Eleanor Tung-Hahn; Kristin Lee; David Surprenant; Anne Coakley; Rebecca Tung; Murad Alam Journal: Int J Womens Dermatol Date: 2021-05-30