Evaluation of factors associated with skin self-examination

Early detection and excision of thin lesions may be important in reducing m ortality from melanoma, Periodic skin self-examination may be beneficial in identifying thin lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factor s associated with skin self-examination. The study population was comprised of 549 Caucasian residents of Connecticut 18 years of age or older who wer e selected as controls as part of a population-based case-control study on skin self-examination and melanoma conducted during 1987-1989, Personal int erviews were conducted to obtain information on skin self-examination, demo graphics, history of cancer, phenotypic characteristics, sun exposure habit s, and screening and health behaviors. Nevus counts were performed by train ed nurse interviewers. Logistic regression was used to model the relationsh ip between the variables of interest and skin self-examination. Female gend er was identified a priori as a predictor of skin self-examination, and thu s all analyses were stratified by gender. Age, education, and marital statu s were also identified a priori as important predictor variables and were s elected for inclusion in the final models. Skin awareness was a strong factor associated with skin self-examination fo r both females and males. For females, previous benign biopsy or the presen ce of an abnormal mole was identified as important for future skin self-exa mination using our criteria. A family history of cancer, physician examinat ion, and change in diet to reduce cancer risk increased the likelihood of s kin self-examination in males but not females. In women, light hair color m ay increase the likelihood of performing skin self-examination. Older age a nd college or postgraduate education was associated with a decreased likeli hood of performing skin self-examination in both males and females. Identif ying factors associated with skin self-examination will enable health care providers to target individuals who may not be performing skin self-examina tion but who are at increased risk for developing melanoma.