SCREENING FOR MELANOMA - WATCH THE EARLY BIRD

It may be questioned whether people attending skin cancer and melanoma screening clinics are sufficiently aware of their own risk profile. I n June 1993, 4,146 people were examined in Southern Limburg, the Nethe rlands, during a voluntary melanoma screening project. Positive screen ees, i.e. those with presumed malignancies or with distinct precursor lesions, attended early during the day rather than late. This indicate s that people with cancerous or precancerous skin lesions are, on the whole, sufficiently concerned as to take maximum advantage of the scre ening opportunity. Our findings also imply that abundant provider time and staffing are necessary during the early hours of such screenings.