Motivating the public to take advantage of skin cancer screening

In recognition of continuing increases in the incidence of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, the American Academy of Dermatology has encouraged dermatologic communities nationwide to offer free skin cancer screening to the public. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center took part in one such effort last spring. This article summarizes the results of a survey of that center's participants. The data revealed that more than 90% of their attendees learned of the screening through the mass media. Most participants came in response to concern over a specific lesion. A significant association was found to exist between prescreening reports of high-risk perceptions and the subsequent discovery by physicians of malignant or premalignant conditions. These and other findings are discussed, with suggestions being made for future screenings.