 |
|
Full-Body Skin Examinations and the Female Veteran
Prevalence and Perspective
Daniel G. Federman, MD;
Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD;
Sally G. Haskell, MD;
Fangchao Ma, MD, PhD;
Robert S. Kirsner, MD, PhD
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:312-316.
Objectives To determine the frequency of full-body skin examinations (FBSEs) among female veterans and to determine whether patient risk factors for skin cancer alter the frequency of screening. Subjects were also queried as to attitudes about FBSE.
Design Questionnaires pertaining to whether patients underwent regular FBSE, their opinions and attitudes about this screening test, and their risks for developing skin cancer.
Setting A primary health care clinic for female veterans at a Veterans Affairs medical center.
Participants A convenience sample of 245 patients awaiting clinic appointments. Of those asked to participate, 201 agreed, for a participation rate of 82%.
Main Outcome Measures Patient report of undergoing FBSE, attitudes regarding FBSE, and risk factors for cutaneous malignancy.
Results Eighteen percent of all respondents reported undergoing regular FBSE by their primary care provider, whereas 9 (45%) of the 20 with a history of skin cancer reported undergoing FBSE. Fifteen percent of subjects reported embarrassment with FBSE. Seventy-nine percent reported that their primary care provider would be considered thorough by performing FBSE, and 69% would like their primary care provider to perform FBSE regularly. We found that 16% of subjects would refuse the examination if the primary care provider were of the opposite sex, whereas 38% would not refuse but be less willing to be examined.
Conclusions Female veterans report a low incidence of FBSE, although those with a personal history of skin cancer are more likely to undergo screening. Despite embarrassment expressed about a sex difference between the patient and examiner, female veterans have a strong preference to undergo FBSE.
Author Affiliations: Departments of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care Center, West Haven, Conn, and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (Drs Federman, Kravetz, and Haskell); and Departments of Dermatology, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Fla (Drs Ma and Kirsner).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
RELATED ARTICLE
Women's Dermatologic Diseases, Health Care Delivery, and Socioeconomic Barriers
June K. Robinson and Marcia Ramos-e-Siliva
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142(3):362-364.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Cutaneous Melanoma and Other Skin Cancer Screening Among Hispanics in the United States: A Review of the Evidence, Disparities, and Need for Expanding the Intervention and Research Agendas
Andreeva and Cockburn
Arch Dermatol 2011;147:743-745.
FULL TEXT
Skin Cancer Screening by Dermatologists, Family Practitioners, and Internists: Barriers and Facilitating Factors
Oliveria et al.
Arch Dermatol 2011;147:39-44.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Influence of Age and Sex on Reasons for Seeking and Expected Benefits of Skin Cancer Screening
Andrulonis et al.
Arch Dermatol 2010;146:1097-1102.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Effect of Health Care Delivery Models on Melanoma Thickness and Stage in a University-Based Referral Center: An Observational Pilot Study
Swetter et al.
Arch Dermatol 2007;143:30-36.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Women's Dermatologic Diseases, Health Care Delivery, and Socioeconomic Barriers.
Robinson and Ramos-e-Siliva
Arch Dermatol 2006;142:362-364.
FULL TEXT
|
