SURVEY OF DOCTORS ON PREVENTION, SCREENING AND WAYS OF ROUTING OF PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT SKIN NEOPLASMS

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms of the skin ranks one of the leading places in the overall structure of oncological morbidity in the Russian population, second only to breast cancer. In 2021, there were 7.82 cases of melanoma and 46.93 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer per 100,000 population. Dermatovenerologists, general practitioners, therapists, as well as doctors of other medical specialties in their daily practice are faced with malignant skin tumors. The aim of our research was to study the awareness of doctors of various specialties, as well as people without higher medical education, about the risk factors and prevention of malignant skin tumors, as well as about the patient routing paths. We interviewed doctors of various medical specialties and people without a higher medical education regarding risk factors and prevention of malignant skin tumors, as well as patient routes. The median of correct answers was 16 out of 22 (72.7%). Only 4 out of 463 people answered all questions correctly (0.9%, 95% CI 0.24–2.2). Most often, incorrect answers were given to questions related to screening. It seems appropriate to include questionson organizational measures to reduce the burden of melanoma incidence in training programs for doctors who face skin tumors in their practice, as well as specialists of healthcare organization and public health.