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USPSTF 2018 recommends counseling about minimizing exposure to UV radiation to prevent skin cancer (B recommendation)
Clinical Question
Should primary care clinicians counsel their patients to prevent skin cancer by minimizing exposure to ultraviolet radiation?
Bottom line
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends counseling young adults, adolescents, children, and parents of young children about minimizing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in persons aged 6 months to 24 years with fair skin types to reduce the risk of skin cancer (B recommendation). The net benefit of counseling adults older than 24 years is small (C recommendation). The task force found insufficient evidence to assess the overall benefits and harms of counseling adults about skin self-examination (I statement). These updated recommendations are consistent with the previous recommendations from 2009 and 2012. 2c
Reference
Study design: Practice guideline
Funding: Government
Setting: Population-based
Synopsis
In this updated review the USPSTF evaluated current evidence assessing the benefits and harms of counseling about minimizing exposure to UV radiation and skin self-examination to reduce the risk of skin cancer. The task force found no studies that directly assessed the effects of any interventions on skin cancer outcomes in pediatric populations. One study that evaluated adult skin self-examination found no significant differences in the numbers of melanoma or skin cancer deaths in the self-examination group versus the control group. There was, however, a statistically significant increase in skin procedures in the intervention group. Behavioral counseling results in the increased use of sun protection behaviors in children, adolescents and young adults with fair skin types, but there was no evidence of a consistent improvement in the prevention of sunburn. The US Surgeon General, American Cancer Society, and American Academy of Pediatrics endorse counseling by clinicians to patients about skin cancer prevention. The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society recommend regular skin self-examinations.
Reviewer
David C. Slawson, MD
Professor and Vice Chair of Family Medicine for Education and Scholarship
Atrium Health
Professor of Family Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill
Charlotte, NC
Comments
What a waste of time!
Good poem