Despite the lack of national skin cancer screening recommendations, a healthcare provider’s total body skin examination may detect skin cancer earlier, allowing for more effective treatment and better outcomes. The study’s objective was to examine prevalence, demographic, and cancer risk perceptions of adults who have had a skin examination performed by a healthcare provider. Retrospective, cross‐sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between skin examination, risk perceptions, and demographic variables.

The researchers have found approximately 46% of the sample 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 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. HINTS is a cross‐sectional survey that provides only a glimpse of predictors. 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 cancer chances.

Ref: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.14935

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