Skin Cancer Screening in Primary Care
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Authors
Nettleton, Kaitlyn
Issue Date
2023-05
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Abstract
Background: In the United States, the incidence of skin cancer (SC) continues to rise with nearly five million individuals treated every year. However, a total body skin exam for the detection of SC is not the standard of care during routine physicals and there is little data supporting SC screening exams in primary care for patients who are at an increased risk for SC.
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase patient knowledge about SC and examine the importance of SC screening exams for patients at high risk based off SAMScore implementation during routine physical exams.
Sample/Setting: Patients 18 years and older presenting to a rural primary care clinic.
Methods: Descriptive statistics are used to compare patients at high risk for the development of SC based off the SAMScore results and how many skin exams were offered and given based off those results. A retrospective chart review was done to evaluate how many referrals and biopsies of suspicious lesions were performed after implementation of the SAMScore compared to before implementation. Patient education is evaluated by comparing the results of the pre and post questionnaires given to patients.
Results: The SAMScore was completed on 16 patients during routine physicals. Of those patients, 9 (56.25%) were determined to be high risk. One (11.11%) of the high-risk patients did present with a suspicious lesion and a biopsy was performed.
Conclusion: Education provided to patients did increase knowledge about SC and SC risk factors. Although more data is needed, patients who are at an increased risk for SC, might benefit from routine total body screening exams in rural primary care clinics.
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University