Melanoma survivors: health behaviors, surveillance, psychosocial factors, and family concerns.

Background: Little research has been conducted on melanoma survivors and important opportunities exist for research in this understudied population. The study objective was to examine experiences of melanoma survivors regarding sun protection, surveillance practices, psychosocial and family concerns using focus groups.

Methods: We identified patients (≥ 18 years) treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (USA) during 1996-2005 with invasive primary cutaneous melanoma, stages I-III.

Communication about family members' risk of melanoma: self-reported practices of dermatologists in the United States.

Objectives: To assess current self-reported communication and screening practices of dermatologists to their patients with melanoma about family members' risk of melanoma at the time of diagnosis and to understand the barriers that dermatologists encounter in communicating risk to patients.

Design: Descriptive survey study.

Setting: Office-based practicing physicians in the United States.

Skin cancer screening by dermatologists, family practitioners, and internists: barriers and facilitating factors.

Objective: To determine barriers and facilitating factors to skin cancer screening practices among US primary care physicians and dermatologists.

Design: Survey.

Setting: Physicians randomly selected from the American Medical Association's Medical Marketing Services database from April 1 through November 30, 2005.

A survey of skin cancer screening practices among dermatology nurses.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to survey the current level of participation dermatology nurses have in screening and skin cancer detection.

Sample: Nursing professionals including registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses and their Ontario, Canadian equivalents (registered practical nurses), advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners and dermatology nurse practitioners, were included in the sample. RN education ranged from associate's to master's degree preparation.

Study of Nevi in Children (SONIC): baseline findings and predictors of nevus count.

The authors report baseline findings and predictors of nevus count (log total nevi) at the completion of year 1 (2004) of the first known population-based, prospective study of nevi in a US cohort of children. Overall, 64% (n = 443/691) of grade 5 students and their parents in Framingham, Massachusetts, completed surveys and underwent digital photography. Total nevus count was associated with skin and hair color and tendency to burn, as measured by a sun sensitivity index.

Melanoma survivorship: research opportunities.

Introduction: The rising incidence and mortality rates of melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer, are among the greatest increases of all preventable cancers over the past decade. However, because of recent advances in early detection, secondary prevention efforts, and treatment, the number of melanoma survivors is increasing. Little research has been conducted on melanoma survivors and important opportunities exist for research in this understudied population.

Skin cancer coverage in a national newspaper: a teachable moment.

Background: The objectives of this study were to (1) identify the number of published articles related to skin cancer in The New York Times newspaper from 1980-2004; (2) assess the content of the articles related to skin cancer, and (3) examine the trends in media coverage of skin cancer over time.

Methods: We performed a content analysis on articles related to skin cancer appearing in The New York Times during January 1, 1980, through December 31, 2004, using the ProQuest online content repository database and key words skin cancer. We conducted an advanced focus search of all "skin cancer" articles using key words "melanoma," "squamous cell carcinoma," "basal cell carcinoma," "sunscreen," "tanning," "sunbathing," and "tanning salon".