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Public knowledge about characteristics of moles and melanomas

journal contribution
posted on 2024-09-12, 05:12 authored by Ron BorlandRon Borland, R Marks, S Noy
Abstract: In a study aiming to determine public knowledge about moles and melanomas 590 residents of Victoria aged 14 and over were interviewed in a face‐to‐face household survey. The majority believed that moles were primarily raised lesions. Recognition of the term melanoma was high (91 per cent), but many held misconceptions about key characteristics. Many thought an early melanoma was raised (20 per cent) or could be raised (42 per cent), compared with only 10 per cent who thought it was flat. Fifty per cent of respondents thought being ugly was a common characteristic. In response to photographs of skin lesions, a late melanoma, seborrhoeic keratosis and a squamous cell carcinoma were most likely to be identified as needing to be seen by a doctor, while a normal raised mole and two early melanomas were least likely. The data suggest that a large proportion of the community have misconceptions about the early signs of melanoma. Education programs are needed to inform the public that most early melanomas are flat. Strategies which might confuse this message, such as likening melanoma to moles, should be avoided.

History

Journal

Australian Journal of Public Health

Volume

16

Pagination

370-375

Location

Australia

ISSN

1035-7319

eISSN

1753-6405

Language

English

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

4

Publisher

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOC AUSTRALIA INC