Participation and health care provision of statutory skin cancer screening in Germany - a secondary data analysis

Skin cancer in Germany: Characterising screening, prevalence and mortality from a spatial perspective

Aim of the study was to characterise the association between screening, prevalence and mortality of skin cancer in Germany considering the spatial distribution. The study included the total set of outpatient data of all statutory health insured people and cause-of-death statistics in Germany between 2011-2015 on county level. To identify regions with high/low screening, prevalence and mortality rates, probability maps were calculated. Scenarios were developed based on the research questions. These were used to identify regions that share both high/low rates of screening, prevalence and mortality. Regression analyses were used to characterise these regions, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics. Significant regional variations in prevalence, screening and mortality in Germany were identified. Depending on the scenario, influences of sociodemographic conditions become apparent. For example, a lower income (p = 0.006) and poorer accessibility of the closest dermatologist (p = 0.03) predicted a lower prevalence of and fewer screenings for skin cancer. In regions with low screening and high mortality, significant (p = 0.03) associations with the educational status of the population were also found. The study identified the first spatial associations between screening, prevalence and mortality of skin cancer in Germany. The results indicate that regional population-related characteristics (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics) play an important role in explaining the associations and should be given more weight in further studies. However, further studies, particularly on the spatial variation of skin cancer mortality, are still necessary.

Effects of workplace skin cancer screenings on preventive and risk behaviour

Aim

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in western countries and is associated with a high burden of disease. Skin cancer screenings can help detect cancer at an early stage and thus allow for better treatment. We aimed to analyse the impact of workplace skin cancer screenings on prevention behaviour and potential spillover effects on non-participants.

Subject and methods

Participants of workplace skin cancer screenings completed questionnaires at 0, 3 and 12 months on knowledge about and attitudes toward skin cancer and prevention behaviours. Effects over time were compared using McNemar tests. For additional analyses we performed logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 998 participants (44.7% women, mean age 43.3 years), 26.7% had never attended a skin cancer screening. The proportion of participants seeking shade for UV protection and the number of visits to dermatologists and general practitioners increased significantly in the year following workplace screening (p < 0.05). Two thirds (66.4%) recommended skin cancer screenings to others and at least 39.2% of them were sure that this recommendation was followed. Characteristics associated with participants’ recommendation for screening included female gender (odds ratio: 1.62), older age (odds ratio: 1.02), and lower education (odds ratio: 1.40).

Conclusion

Workplace screenings can complement routine skin cancer screenings. They inform participants about the existence and benefits of screenings and may have spillover effects for peers. They can also serve as another source of information on prevention and risk behaviours.

Increasing Participation Rates in Germany's Skin Cancer Screening Program (HELIOS): Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Background

In 2008, a nationwide skin cancer screening (SCS) program was implemented in Germany. However, participation rates remain low.

Objective

The overall objective of the HELIOS study is to identify subgroup-specific invitation and communication strategies to increase informed SCS participation in Germany.

Methods

Focus group discussions will be performed in Erlangen, Germany, to explore potential invitation and communication strategies as well as possible barriers and motivating factors to participate in SCS. Male and female patients of different age groups who have already been diagnosed with skin cancer, as well as participants without a prior diagnosis of skin cancer, will be invited. Based on these results, an online questionnaire will be developed to identify subgroup-specific invitation strategies. A random sample of 2500 persons from the general population aged >35 years from the Munich area will be contacted to complete the questionnaire. Besides descriptive analysis, multinomial logistic regression will be performed. Additionally, a cluster analysis will be conducted to discover patterns or similarities among the participants.

Results

Recruitment for the focus group studies started in February 2021 and is ongoing. As of August 2021, we have enrolled 39 participants. We expect to end enrollment in the qualitative study in September 2021 and to finish the analysis in December 2021. The second part of the study will then start in January 2022.

Conclusions

The results of this project will enable us to derive improved and more efficient invitation and communication strategies for SCS. These may be implemented in the future to facilitate increased SCS uptake and early skin cancer detection.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/31860

Regional variations in the use of statutory skin cancer screenings in Germany: population-based spatial multisource analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to the increasing incidence of skin cancer, programmes for the prevention of skin cancer have been developed and implemented in Germany. However, utilization of skin cancer screenings shows marked regional differences. Reasons and predictors of such variations are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to identify predictors for regional use of skin cancer screening variations in Germany.

METHODS

Analysis of the population set of ambulatory claims data (2009-2015) of the statutory health insurances (SHI) in Germany (70.2 million people in 2015). Skin cancer screening utilization rate was determined on county level. Descriptive, cluster and multivariate analyses were performed to identify spatial patterns in skin cancer screening utilization.

RESULTS

Overall, 6.5-7.9 million people participated in skin cancer screenings. Utilization rates of people ≥35 years of age were 9.74% (2009) and 10.96% (2015). Marked regional variations were identified between the counties. Dermatologists in Saxony and Westphalia-Lippe as well as general practitioners in Lower Saxony and North Rhine showed particularly high utilization rates. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated e.g. positive associations between the skin cancer screening utilization rates and employees with higher vocational qualifications and shorter travel time by car to the nearest major urban centre.

CONCLUSION

Utilization rates of skin cancer screening vary largely in Germany with specific spatial patterns. Multivariate analyses demonstrate associations with socio-economic and geographical determinants. The results indicate the importance of health policy measures. These should be used in a more targeted manner in the regions in order to increase utilization of skin cancer screening.

[Real world data sources for health services research on skin cancer]

Health services research in dermatology with the objective to improve prevention, efficient diagnostics and treatment of skin cancer requires real world data from all sectors. This article provides an overview of currently available relevant real world data sources and the utilization potential. It lists exemplary results of existing studies: secondary data analyses based on billing data from statutory health insurance funds were used among other things to estimate the participation rate in the statutory skin cancer screening. This was approximately 31% in the 2‑year period and was higher in the western German federal states than in the eastern ones. Furthermore, participation was higher for women than for men. Regional data in combination with sociostructural and sociodemographic indicators are available for planning of dermatological care and the analysis points to an association with the prevalence of skin cancer. Primary data are available and necessary for recording patient reported endpoints and evaluating the treatment of skin cancer patients by dermatologists. Extensive histopathological databases record not only clinical markers of skin cancer but also sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and indicate a correlation between the time of diagnosis or therapy and the insurance status and place of residence. In addition to the utilization potential, specific limitations of the data sources are listed.

Primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer in mountain guides: attitude and motivation for or against participation

BACKGROUND

Outdoor professionals such as mountain guides are at a substantial risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) due to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Despite major recent primary prevention efforts, studies on secondary skin cancer prevention efforts are limited and corresponding data on outdoor workers scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the sun protective behaviour and individual motivations for or against skin cancer screening examinations in the German mountain guide population to aid in the development of effective awareness and prevention strategies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study among all registered mountain guides in Germany was conducted using a 35-item online questionnaire on primary and secondary prevention of NMSC as well as perceived barriers for prevention.

RESULTS

A total of 145 mountain guides participated in the study in January 2017. Of these, 86.2% reported using sunscreen often or always, 62.1% with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30-50% and 60.7% had undergone dermatological examination by a medical professional. The most common reasons for using secondary prevention efforts were hope of an early diagnosis (77.3%), fear of skin cancer (73.9%) and the intention to be aware of one's own health (70.5%). The main reasons for not doing so were absence of conspicuous skin conditions (63.2%) and feeling healthy (59.6%).

CONCLUSION

Awareness of prevention strategies recommended by the scientific community is low among affected occupationally high-risk mountain guide populations. Understanding the specific needs of this high-risk group is essential for the development of sustainable awareness and prevention strategies.

[Skin cancer screening and treatment costs : Utilisation of the skin cancer screening and skin cancer treatment costs in organ transplant recipients]

BACKGROUND

Organ transplant recipients have an up to 250-times higher risk to develop skin cancer. This article evaluated the utilisation of skin cancer screening and the treatment costs for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients. Patients of the health insurance AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven had been identified and the need for skin cancer prevention trainings was derived.

METHODS

The number of organ transplant recipients (ICD code Z94.0-4) with and without any history of skin cancer (ICD code C43/C44), the utilisation of dermatologic health care services, and the costs for treatments with the diagnosis Z94.0-4 with and without C43/C44 were evaluated. The analyses were carried out for the period from 2009-2014 by using the accounting systems of the AOK.

RESULTS

Between 2009 and 2014, 231 organ transplant recipients had been recorded. By mid-2014, 20% of these insured persons developed skin cancer and the mean incidence was 2.76% per year. On average, 43% of these patients were seen by a dermatologist at least once a year, whereby only 15% of the organ transplant recipients participated in the annual skin cancer screening. In 29% of the patients without any history of skin cancer, a skin examination was never performed by a dermatologist or a general practitioner. In all, 17 inpatient cases of organ transplant recipients with the primary diagnosis C43/C44 were analyzed. This resulted in total costs of 54,707 € (on average about 3200 € per case).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased incidence of skin cancer and the associated treatment costs indicate the need for skin cancer prevention training.

Do outdoor workers know their risk of NMSC? Perceptions, beliefs and preventive behaviour among farmers, roofers and gardeners

BACKGROUND

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was officially recognized in 2015 as an occupational disease for outdoor workers in Germany. Together with the enormous socioeconomic impact of NMSC, this has led to the continuous demand of evidence-based prevention. However, studies assessing the perceptions and beliefs along with risk behaviour of outdoor workers as an essential prerequisite for prevention are rare.

OBJECTIVE

To assess perceptions, beliefs, barriers, risk and preventive behaviours towards non-melanoma skin cancer among different outdoor groups as a basis for the development of sustainable prevention programmes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study among outdoor workers of three different occupational groups (farmer, gardener, roofer) using a 20-question online survey on NMSC awareness, risk and preventive behaviours.

RESULTS

Between March and April 2016, 353 outdoor workers participated in the study. Of these, 153 (43.4%) reported never to use sunscreen during work. Wearing headgear and long pants were the most common sun protection measures. Poor use of sunscreen was more likely in males and farmers. A low perceived skin cancer risk was significantly associated with poor use of sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses and headgear.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite great evidence on NMSC risk in outdoor professions throughout the literature, high-risk groups in fact are not yet aware of the topic. Sustainable target group-oriented awareness prevention programmes are needed to lower the immense burden of NMSC.

[Risk characteristics and survival rates of malignant melanoma in Germany and the Netherlands]

BACKGROUND

Mortality and lethality of malignant melanoma (MM) show marked variations throughout Europe, thereunder a higher risk within the Netherlands (NL) when compared to Germany (D).

GOAL AND METHODS

Comparison of systems and exploration of possible causal factors that could explain the difference between D and NL. Comparative healthcare research analysis using published international literature, as well as publicly accessible databases, and a subsequent hypothesis-generating analysis.

RESULTS

The higher rate of excised MM less than 1 mm in diameter in D (65 % vs. 45 %) confirms the clinical reports of the cancer registries. The biological factors for the emergence of MM, such as skin type, do not seem to significantly differ from each other. Among the further potential predictors there are no relevant differences within, for example, geographical conditions and the qualifications of the treating physicians. Primary prevention has a longer continual tradition in D. Here, secondary prevention is characterized by population-based extensive screening, which does not occur within the NL. In addition, distinct differences are found regarding access to dermatologists.

CONCLUSION

System access to a medical specialist and the prevention of skin cancer are currently the most distinctive potential determinants of more favorable MM survival rate in Germany.