Free skin screening at GO Run makes an impact

By Carol McPhail

CMcPhail@health.southalabama.edu

The USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Control and Prevention (CCP) provided a free, one-day skin cancer screening event at the 12^th Annual GO Run 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk. The GO Run skin screening event was conducted in collaboration with medical student volunteers from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and CCP staff under the on-site supervision of Mobile board-certified dermatologist Kathryn Dempsey, M.D.

Participants at the GO Run interested in receiving a skin cancer screening were asked to complete a screening form and provided names, dates of birth, addresses, and phone numbers. After the demographics were completed, participants were escorted to the screening area and asked if they had a specific mole or skin lesion that was of concern. Medical students and the dermatologist used the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation for clinical visual skin examinations to assess skin lesions following the “ABCDE rule,” which involves looking for the following characteristics: asymmetry, border irregularity, non-uniform color, diameter >6 mm, and evolving over time.

Participants were given a copy of their screening form which indicated either a referral to a dermatologist, return to USA Health surgical oncology for biopsy, or to begin regular skin cancer screening with primary care provider or dermatologist. Referrals to dermatology were made when a suspicious skin lesion was identified. Participants with possible precancerous or cancerous lesions signed a disclosure at the end of the form stating that it is their responsibility to contact a physician for further testing. Participants were also given several public educational materials about sun safety and the signs of skin cancer as well as sunscreen samples. Eight weeks following the initial screening, MCI staff contacted participants via telephone and email to determine if participants scheduled and completed an appointment with a dermatologist.

A total of 47 runners at the event were examined using the USPSTF recommendation. Of the 47 participants that were evaluated, 13 were found to have a suspicious lesion and referred to a dermatologist for further testing. Of the 13 referrals, 11 responded to follow up with MCI staff and nine confirmed an appointment was scheduled. By December 10, 2019, seven participants confirmed they went to an appointment. Verbal results included seven skin lesions biopsied that tested negative, two skin lesions were removed (one melanoma in situ and one basal cell carcinoma), and one recommendation was made to continue topical cream treatment for skin lesions.