Mobile Unit Screening for Skin Cancer in Brazil
Author Information
Author(s): Mauad Edmundo C, Silva Thiago B, Latorre Maria RDO, Vieira René AC, Haikel Raphael L Jr, Vazquez Vinicius L, Longatto-Filho Adhemar
Primary Institution: Barretos Cancer Hospital - Pio XII Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate the use of a mobile unit in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer in several poor regions of Brazil.
Conclusion
The mobile unit can be a useful tool for early skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially in developing countries with inadequate public health systems.
Supporting Evidence
- 2012 cases of skin cancer were diagnosed out of 17,857 consultations.
- 81.6% of diagnosed cases were basal cell carcinoma.
- 82% of patients with skin cancer had their lesions surgically removed in the mobile unit.
Takeaway
A special truck helped doctors check for skin cancer in people living in remote areas of Brazil, and they found many cases that needed treatment.
Methodology
Patients were examined in a mobile unit, and suspicious lesions were evaluated histopathologically.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the pre-selected population and reliance on local nurses for patient triage.
Limitations
Limited experience of nurses and lack of local medical doctors in visited cities hindered the project.
Participant Demographics
Majority were women (51.1%), aged 40-79 years, with 87.5% having low educational levels.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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