Predictors of skin self-examination performance.

摘要: BACKGROUND Skin self-examination (SSE) may reduce the death rate from melanoma by as much 63%. Enhancing SSE performance mortality and morbidity. This study determined predictors of in a population individuals who were at risk developing or nonmelanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC). METHODS Patients (n = 200) asked about their knowledge warning signs, sense importance to them, attitude confidence ability perform SSE, impression partner's comfort with assisting examination. The interval since last examination, number physician visits (nondermatologist dermatologist), type malignancies, time initial diagnosis, biopsies, health insurance status medical records for prior 3 years. RESULTS Seventy percent participants performed SSE. three strongest attitude, having dermatology biopsies least one previous years, (P 0.0001). Other perceived 0.0001), 0.004), younger age 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Annual examination physicians monthly patients reinforce another promoting early detection. In this high-risk population, dermatologist reinforced biopsy lesions that malignancies. People have intimate own bear consequences failure detect treat early; thus, becomes relevant personal health-promotion habit. Cancer 2002;95:135–46. © 2002 American Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10637