Recent skin self-examination and doctor visits in relation to melanoma risk and tumour depth

Background Little is known about the potential benefit of skin self-examination for melanoma prevention and early detection. Objectives To determine whether skin self-examination is associated with reduced melanoma risk, self-detection of tumours, and reduced risk of deeper melanomas. Methods We used data from a population-based case-control study (423 cases, 678 controls) to assess recent skin self-examination in relation to self-detection, melanoma risk and tumour depth (<= 1 mm; >1 mm). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of interest. Results Skin self-examination conducted 1-11 times during a recent year was associated with a possible decrease in melanoma risk (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.54-1.02). Melanoma risk was decreased for those who conducted skin self-examination and saw a doctor (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.30-0.90). Among cases, those who examined their skin were twice as likely to self-detect the melanoma (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.47-3.38), but self-detection was not associated with shallower tumours. Tumour depth was reduced for those who conducted skin self-examination 1-11 times during a recent year (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.18-0.81), but was not influenced by seeing a doctor, or by conducting skin self-examination and seeing a doctor. Conclusions Risk of a deeper tumour and possibly risk of melanoma were reduced by skin self-examination 1-11 times annually. Melanoma risk was markedly reduced by skin self-examination coupled with a doctor visit. We cannot, however, exclude the possibility that our findings reflect bias or confounding. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of skin self-examination for melanoma prevention and early detection.