Participant satisfaction and value in American Academy of Dermatology and American Cancer Society skin cancer screening programs in Massachusetts

Abstract Background: More than 1 million Americans have attended the American Academy of Dermatology's Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Programs since 1985. However, there have been no reports of the participants' perceived value, satisfaction, and benefits of skin cancer screening. Objective: We attempted to measure the benefits and subsequent screening practices of persons with presumptive positive screening diagnoses. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to participants with positive screening diagnoses in Massachusetts. Results: Of the 643 respondents, 81% rated their satisfaction as high and 84% had similar ratings for the value of the screening. Screenings apparently led to an increase in self-screening (60% before screening compared with 84% after screening). Conclusion: Although screening appears to have relatively strong benefits, further studies should be conducted nationally. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:563-6.)