Prevalence and correlates of skin examination among ethnically diverse young adult survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Skin cancer is the most common secondary malignancy among young adult childhood cancer survivors (YA‐CCS). Skin examination to detect skin cancer early (including melanoma as well as basal or squamous cell skin cancers), both physician‐based (PSE) and self‐skin exam (SSE), is recommended, particularly for radiotherapy‐exposed YA‐CCS who are at high risk of developing skin cancer. Methods Awareness and prevalence of skin examination and demographic, clinical, and healthcare correlates were examined in a population‐based sample of YA‐CCS with diverse cancer types excluding melanoma. Descriptive frequencies and logistic regression models were conducted using sample weights to correct for non‐response bias with PSE, SSE and adherence to both as outcomes. Results The sample comprised 1064 participants with 53% Latino. Eight percent of participants were aware of the need for skin examination; 9% reported receipt of PSE within past 2 years; 35% reported regular SSE; and 6% were adherent to both. Among the radiotherapy‐treated, 10% were aware of the need for skin examination, 10% reported recent PSE; 38% reported regular SSE; and 8% were adherent to both. Healthcare and clinical factors including healthcare self‐efficacy, engagement in cancer‐related follow‐up care, greater treatment intensity and greater number of treatment‐related late effects were positively associated with PSE and SSE. Latino YA‐CCS were less likely to engage in PSE and SSE. Conclusion(s) Adherence to recommended screening for skin cancer was low in this at‐risk population, notably for YA‐CCS exposed to radiotherapy. The development of effective strategies to expand skin cancer screening is needed in this at‐risk population.

Keywords

• follow‐up care
• secondary prevention
• skin cancer
• survivors of childhood cancer