Full Body Skin Exams are very important!
August 25th, 2009 | Posted by in Illness | Prevention | Skin Cancer
Study indicates importance of dermatologist-initiated full body skin examinations (FBSE) in detection of melanoma.
Following a MedPage Today story, MedWire (8/21, Albert) reported that, according to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, “most melanomas found in a dermatology general practice setting are diagnosed as a result of a dermatologist-initiated full-body skin examination (FBSE) and not patient complaint.”
For the study, researchers from North Florida Dermatology Associates conducted “a retrospective analytical case series of 126 melanoma patients attending a private dermatology practice in Florida.”
The team noted that, “overall, 56.3 percent (n=71) of the melanomas were detected by the examining dermatologist whilst doing a FBSE and were secondary to the presenting complaint.” Notably, “a greater number of the physician-detected melanomas were in situ and therefore at an earlier and more treatable stage.”
In fact, “dermatologists were five times more likely to detect melanomas that were under one-mm thick than patients,” the authors said.
Utah Dermatology At It’s Best!
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I scheduled an appt for myself and my husband awhile ago, it was the best thing to do! The doctor found a melanoma on my husband and was able to get it all out. I am so glad we came in for the check. We'll definitely be coming in for our yearly checks, as well as the rest of our family.
Thanks!