Evaluation of the skin melanoma screening program in the Krasnoyarsk territory in 2017 and 2023: observational retrospective study

BACKGROUND: “Melanoma Diagnosis Day” is an annual campaign conducted in many regions in order to draw attention to the problem of melanoma and other skin cancers, as well as early detection of skin neoplasms (SN). Despite the fact that there is no convincing effectiveness evidence of melanoma screening, the goal of the campaign is to inform the public about the primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the results of the event “Melanoma Diagnosis Day” in the Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2017 and 2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted, including the analysis of completed questionnaires and patient examination data in order to identify risk factors for the development of skin melanoma and other skin diseases. Statistical processing of the results was carried out on the basis of constructing conjugacy tables, followed by determining the level of statistical significance using the exact Fisher criterion.

RESULTS: In the “Melanoma Diagnosis Day” in the Krasnoyarsk Territory took a part about 234 people aged 1 to 85 years in 2017, and 207 people aged 3 to 84 years in 2023. In 2017, 1.3% of patients had suspected melanoma of the skin, 7.7% had dysplastic nevi and 0.9% had basal cell carcinoma. In 2023, clinical signs of melanoma were detected in 2.4% of patients, dysplastic nevi in 3.9% of patients, basal cell carcinoma in 1% of patients and squamous cell carcinoma in 0.5% of participants. Other types of skin neoplasms had 29.5% of participants in 2017 and 34.3% in 2023. Patients with clinical signs of melanoma and other skin diseases were referred for further examination to a regional oncological dispensary. According to the results of comparing the results of the 2017 and 2023 campaigns, it was found that in 2023 the share of nonresident participants decreased, as well as the number of participants aged 50 to 64 years. The participants’ oncological alertness, their awareness of risk factors and methods of prevention of skin fever increased.

CONCLUSION: Taking into account not only the diagnostic, but also the educational component, the “Melanoma Diagnosis Day” is an event aimed at attracting the attention of the population regarding SN.