Patient Follow-Up After Participating in a Beach-Based Skin Cancer Screening Program

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Mary L. Greaney⁶  Elaine Puleo⁵  Alan C. Geller²  Stephanie W. Hu¹  Andrew E. Werchniak⁴  Susan DeCristofaro³ 

[1] New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA;Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA;Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA;Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA;

关键词: cancer screening;    skin cancer prevention;    skin examinations;    sun protection;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph9051836

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Many skin cancer screenings occur in non-traditional community settings, with the beach being an important setting due to beachgoers being at high risk for skin cancer. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of a skin cancer intervention in which participants (n = 312) had a full-body skin examination by a clinician and received a presumptive diagnosis (abnormal finding, no abnormal finding). Participants’ pursuit of follow-up was assessed post-intervention (n = 283). Analyses examined: (1) participant’s recall of screening results; and (2) whether cognitive and behavioral variables were associated with follow-up being as advised. Just 12% of participants (36/312) did not correctly recall the results of their skin examination. One-third (33%, 93/283) of participants’ follow-up was classified as being not as advised (recommend follow-up not pursued, unadvised follow-up pursued). Among participants whose follow-up was not as advised, 71% (66/93) did not seek recommended care. None of the measured behavioral and cognitive variables were significantly associated with recall of screening examination results or whether follow-up was as advised. Research is needed to determine what factors are associated with follow-up being as advised and to develop messages that increase receipt of advised follow-up care.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.