New Studies Support Dermatologists' Recommendation: Self-Exams, Screenings Vital for Detecting S...(te Medical Center inSan Rafael Californi...),Health

Date:5/5/2008

te Medical Center in San Rafael, California and is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained that a threefold to fourfold increased incidence of melanoma during the period 1972 to 1977 was reported among the approximately 5,100 LLNL employees in the local population. "In response to this spike in reported melanomas, we initiated in 1984 a large secondary melanoma prevention campaign of employee education, self-examination, and targeted onsite screenings conducted by a dermatologist," said Dr. Schneider.

Dr. Schneider credits the decline in the number of high-risk melanomas (greater than 0.75 mm thick) detected and the increase in the number easily treatable pre-melanoma and thin melanomas that were caught to the addition of the workplace education, self-examination and screening program. "This study demonstrates that providing this group of motivated, highly educated employees with easily accessible, free onsite screenings was a major factor in the reduction of melanoma-related mortality."

Previously, the assumption that melanoma screening programs saved lives was based on the indirect evidence of increased numbers of thin tumors found. "Now we have much more solid evidence based on mortality reduction, which is the gold standard for measuring the success of any screening program," commented Dr. Schneider.

"To my knowledge, this is the first study to show that dermatologists using commonly practiced techniques of observation and biopsy within an intense education and self-examination program can reduce melanoma mortality," said Dr. Schneider.

Monday, May 5, is Melanoma Monday(R) and the official launch of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month(R). Through the Academy's National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Program, dermatologists volunteer to provide free skin cancer screenings in their communities. The public can visit the Academy's Web site

SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

0 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4 5
Related medicine news :

1. Gene Studies of Male-Female Differences Often Flawed
2. Two studies published in the Lancet
3. Study of Studies Finds No Risk to Children From Phthalates in Toys
4. Just Completed Studies Reveal Impact of New Medicare Reimbursement Regulations
5. Studies Prove Exercise Can Heal the Body Mind and Soul
6. Studies Shed New Light on Breast Cancer, Treatment
7. Multi-Year Compendium of Pharmaceutical Case Studies Available from Best Practices, LLC
8. Genomic Health Announces Multiple Studies on Oncotype DX(TM) Presented at 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breast Cancer Symposium
9. Best Practice Database: Complimentary Excerpt of Three Sales Force Excellence Studies
10. Major Pharma Clinical Case Studies From Amgen, AstraZeneca, GSK, Intermune, Cephalon Inc, Sunesis Pharmaceuticals and Dartmouth Medical School During Fall Clinical Focused Programs
11. NIH awards Einstein multimillion dollar grant to extend studies of exceptional longevity