Health Education Campaign for Early Diagnosis of Melanoma
Author Information
Author(s): S.M. Whitehead, M.A. Wroughton, J.M. Elwood, J. Davison, M. Stewart
Primary Institution: University of Nottingham
Hypothesis
Can a health education campaign improve the early diagnosis of melanoma?
Conclusion
The campaign significantly increased referrals for melanoma assessment, but did not show a statistically significant improvement in the depth distribution of diagnosed melanomas.
Supporting Evidence
- Referrals to the pigmented lesion clinic increased from 10 to 54 per week after the campaign.
- 6% of patients referred met the referral criteria and had melanoma, compared to 0.4% who did not meet the criteria.
- 64% of melanomas diagnosed post-campaign had a Breslow thickness of <1.5mm.
Takeaway
A campaign to teach people about melanoma led to many more people visiting the doctor, but it didn't really change how deep the melanomas were when they were found.
Methodology
The study evaluated referral rates and melanoma depth distribution before and after a public education campaign.
Limitations
The study's data were insufficient to show a significant change in melanoma depth distribution.
Participant Demographics
793 females and 433 males referred to the pigmented lesion clinic.
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