Table 3. . Comparison of US national skin cancer screening and counseling guidelines.
| US professional organization | Screening and counseling recommendations |
|---|---|
| US Preventive Services Task Force | Screening: – Published statement 2009: insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for skin cancer by primary care providers or by patient skin self-examination [53]. Grade I† – Draft statement recommendation 2016: a clear statement cannot be made about the benefit of skin cancer screening for melanoma mortality and all-cause mortality or association with thinner lesions [54] Counseling: – Published statement 2012: it is recommended that children, adolescents and young adults aged 10 to 24 years who have fair skin be counseled about minimizing their exposure to UV radiation to reduce the risk for skin cancer [55]. Grade B† – Published statement 2012: there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of counseling adults older than age 24 years about minimizing risks to prevent skin cancer [55]. Grade I† |
| American Academy of Family Physicians | Screening: – Published statement 2009: current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of using a whole-body skin examination by a primary care provider or patient skin self-examination for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in the adult general population [56]. Grade I† Counseling: – Published statement 2012: it is recommended that children, adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 24 years who have fair skin be counseled about minimizing their exposure to UV radiation to reduce the risk for skin cancer [56]. Grade B† – Published statement 2012: There is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of counseling adults older than age 24 years about minimizing risks to prevent skin cancer [56]. Grade I† Updated statement for 2016 pending. |
| American Cancer Society | Screening: – Published statement 2015: for people aged 20 or older who get periodic health examinations, a cancer-related check-up should include health counseling and, depending on a person's age and gender, examinations for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes and ovaries, as well as for other diseases besides cancer (i.e., tobacco, diet and nutrition, sexual practices, risk factors and environmental and occupational exposures [57] – Published statement 2016: the Society recommends periodic cancer-related checkups to examine thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testicles and ovaries [1]. Recommendations no longer include a specified age group |
| American Academy of Dermatologists | Screening: – Published statement 2015: the Academy encourages all members of the public to serve as their own health advocates by regularly conducting skin self-examinations. If an unusual lesion is detected, or if any lesions are changing, itching or bleeding, it is recommended that individuals seek evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist. It is also recommended that people with either a history of skin cancer or an increased risk of skin cancer discuss routine screening increments with a doctor [58] |
| Skin Cancer Foundation | Screening: – Recommend annual skin examinations with a physician [59] |
†Current skin cancer screening and counseling guidelines based on several US medical organizations.
Grade B and Grade I are based on US Preventive Services Task Force grading definitions. Grade B: High certainty that the net benefit is moderate or moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial. The service is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force and should be offered or provided to the patient. Grade I: The current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service.