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Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:504-507.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The United States is now faced with a mounting public health problem of high and increasing incidence and mortality rates for melanoma, particularly among men who are middle-aged or older.^1-2 Melanoma is a serious and often fatal form of skin cancer, even though most melanomas are readily visible when they are still thin and nearly always curable by surgical excision.³ Limited health resources are dedicated to preventing or promoting early detection of this cancer. One problem is that evidence for the value of melanoma screening is considered insufficient.⁴ With the recent cessation (owing to lack of governmental funding) of the only population-based, randomized screening trial (Mark Elwood, MB, e-mail communication, December 19, 2005), which was being conducted in Queensland, Australia, an early detection trial may never be funded. Thus, there may never be the kind of evidence that some require to conclude that screening effectively reduces melanoma mortality. Nevertheless, disturbingly . . . [Full Text of this Article]

THE PROPOSAL: RATIONALE AND ELEMENTS


MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A NATIONAL PLAN
Initiate Policy Change to Provide Melanoma Screening as a Benefit of Health Care

Implement Melanoma Screening in Health Plans

Expand Public Outreach and Education

Education of Health Care Providers and the Public

Advocate for Legislation to Support Melanoma Screening and Education

BARRIERS TO A NATIONAL PLAN

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Alan C. Geller, MPH, RN; Donald R. Miller, ScD; Susan M. Swetter, MD; Marie-France Demierre, MD; Barbara A. Gilchrest, MD

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