Evaluating the Frequency of Mole Checks by a Dermatologist and Correlated Variables in a Global Survey across 17 Countries: HELIOS Project

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-23-2024

Publication Title

Acta dermato-venereologica

Abstract

Secondary prevention of skin cancer consists in early detection of malignant lesions through patients' mole self-examination and medical examination. The objective of this study was to assess the self-reported frequency of mole examination in a large, representative sample of the adult general population of 17 countries from all continents. Of a total of 17,001 participants, 4.8% had their moles checked by a dermatologist more than once a year, 11.3% once a year, 8.4% every 2-3 years, 12.4% once in a while, 10.3% once in lifetime, and 52.6% of participants had never performed a mole examination. Egypt was the country with the highest prevalence of people who performed a moles check more than once a year (15.9%), followed by Brazil and the USA. A higher frequency of mole checks was associated with sex (man vs woman), higher education, higher income, fair phototype, history of skin cancer, medical insurance, and sun-protective behaviours. Despite recommendations by health providers, it appears that the frequency of mole checks in the general population is still low. It is necessary for dermatologists to keep informing at-risk populations about the importance of moles check, with particular care regarding categories that less frequently adhere to secondary prevention measures.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Skin Neoplasms; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Dermatologists; Self-Examination; Young Adult; Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Nevus; Secondary Prevention; Global Health; Adolescent; Early Detection of Cancer; Health Care Surveys; Time Factors; Predictive Value of Tests

PubMed ID

39177162

Volume

104

First Page

40929

Last Page

40929

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