The Value of Partnerships in Multi-Component Skin Cancer Prevention Interventions.

Melanoma causes most skin cancer-related deaths, yet melanoma mortality rates can be decreased by life-long reduction of ultraviolet radiation exposure and early detection. The disease is readily detectable through skin examinations by trained medical providers; however, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force cites insufficient evidence to recommend "visual skin examination by a clinician to screen for skin cancer" in asymptomatic adults in the United States. As a coastal state with much outdoor occupational and recreational exposure to ultraviolet light, Rhode Island has developed a coordinated statewide partnership of stakeholders who provide valuable resources and expertise that maximize the reach and efficacy of targeted skin cancer prevention and screening programs. These programs include public skin cancer screening events, shade planning efforts, distribution of sunscreen at state parks and beaches, and educational programming.

Clinical Outcomes of Free, Public Skin Cancer Screening Events, Rhode Island, 2015-2019.

BACKGROUND: In Rhode Island, malignant melanoma of skin causes about 30 deaths a year. Early detection has been shown to reduce mortality risk. METHODS: Dermatology volunteers and public health professionals convened 27 free skin cancer screenings at public beaches in 2015-2019 to raise skin cancer awareness and screen patients for malignancy. Participants with suspicious lesions were referred for follow-up and later telephoned to ascertain outcomes. RESULTS: Of 2354 people screened, 597 (25%) were referred. 319 of 597 (53%) were later reached by telephone. 196 of 319 (61%) who had kept appointments by the time of the telephone call reported the following diagnoses: 7 malignant melanomas, 32 keratinocyte carcinomas, and 34 actinic keratoses, yielding 3.0 as number needed to biopsy (NNB), and 18.3 as number needed to screen (NNS). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the value of convenient skin cancer screening events, suggesting the desirability of additional interventions of this type.