Prevention Campaign against Skin Cancer

Background: The melanoma incidence has increased over recent decades. Educational campaigns aim to encourage protection from the sun and early detection of melanoma. Methods: During a campaign in Switzerland, information on risk factors, sun protection and melanoma prevention was distributed. 10,987...

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Published inDermatology (Basel) Vol. 205; no. 3; pp. 229 - 233
Main Authors Heinzerling, L.M., Dummer, R., Panizzon, R.G., Bloch, P.H., Barbezat, R., Burg, G.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.2002
S. Karger AG
Subjects
Biological and medical sciences
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Dermatology
Female
Health Promotion - methods
Humans
Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle - pathology
Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle - prevention & control
Male
Medical sciences
Melanoma - pathology
Melanoma - prevention & control
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Skin Neoplasms - pathology
Skin Neoplasms - prevention & control
Surveys and Questionnaires
Switzerland
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
Switzerland
Europe
Ultraviolet irradiation
Sun protection
Epidemiological study
Prevention campaign
Melanoma
Human
Skin disease
Malignant tumor
Medical screening
Health education
Epidemiology
Sun
Incidence
Prevention
Health policy
Risk factor
Tumor
Public information
Skin
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Summary:Background: The melanoma incidence has increased over recent decades. Educational campaigns aim to encourage protection from the sun and early detection of melanoma. Methods: During a campaign in Switzerland, information on risk factors, sun protection and melanoma prevention was distributed. 10,987 people completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors, and 2,746 people were examined by a dermatologist. Results: Men had a higher risk as assessed by skin type, ultraviolet exposure, family history, number of moles and sunburns during childhood. Changes in moles were reported significantly more often by people with: (1) a positive family history (p < 0.0001); (2) multiple moles (p < 0.0001), and (3) sunburns during childhood (p < 0.0001). A precancerous or cancerous condition was suspected in 16% of individuals examined. Conclusion: Early detection of melanoma can be achieved by this type of campaign. Primary prevention is a long-term approach and educational efforts targeting risk groups must be continued.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:1018-8665
1421-9832
DOI:10.1159/000065848