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Fletcher CME, Trenerry C, Wilson C, Gunn KM. 'Being a farmer, I mostly always think there is something more important to do': A mixed methods analysis of the skin cancer detection practices of Australian farmers. Health Promot J Austr 2024; 35:672-682. [PMID: 37611617 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Farmers experience skin cancer and die from melanoma at significantly higher rates than the general Australian population. This study examined Australian farmers' engagement with self-skin examinations (SSE), participation in clinical skin examinations (CSE) by a health professional, and self-reported barriers to engagement with these important skin cancer detection practices. METHODS A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was used. Australian farmers were recruited through an industry-based organisation representing livestock farmers. Farmers (N = 498; 22-89 years; 83.1% male) responded to a paper-based survey that included closed- and open-ended questions. RESULTS Farmers reported engagement with self-conducted SSE and routine CSE that was comparable to findings in the general population, but 29.4% of farmers reported that they had not sought a CSE as soon as possible after noticing changes to their skin. Farmers reported a range of barriers to SSE, including physical difficulties examining their skin, difficulties identifying changes in their skin, forgetfulness, and lack of motivation. Barriers to CSE included accessibility, cost, difficulties finding the right doctor, and avoidance and complacency. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to make clinical skin cancer detection more accessible to farmers, in addition to promoting self-skin examination and help-seeking behaviours within this at risk population. SO WHAT?: Novel approaches are needed to address systemic barriers faced by Australian farmers. These may include the use of teledermatology or artificial intelligence to assist with CSE. Remote training delivery methods may be also utilised to teach SSE skills to farmers who may be otherwise unable to access such opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe M E Fletcher
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Camilla Trenerry
- Freemasons Foundation Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Carlene Wilson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Research Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate M Gunn
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Freemasons Foundation Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Varga NN, Boostani M, Farkas K, Bánvölgyi A, Lőrincz K, Posta M, Lihacova I, Lihachev A, Medvecz M, Holló P, Paragh G, Wikonkál NM, Bozsányi S, Kiss N. Optically Guided High-Frequency Ultrasound Shows Superior Efficacy for Preoperative Estimation of Breslow Thickness in Comparison with Multispectral Imaging: A Single-Center Prospective Validation Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:157. [PMID: 38201584 PMCID: PMC10778011 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer that is known for its metastatic potential and has an increasing incidence worldwide. Breslow thickness, which determines the staging and surgical margin of the tumor, is unavailable at initial diagnosis. Novel imaging techniques for assessing Breslow thickness lack comparative data. This study evaluates optically guided high-frequency ultrasound (OG-HFUS) and multispectral imaging (MSI) for preoperative estimation of Breslow thickness and staging. We enrolled 101 patients with histologically confirmed primary melanoma and categorized them based on tumor thickness. Optically guided 33 MHz HFUS and MSI were utilized for the assessment. Our MSI-based algorithm categorized melanomas into three subgroups with a sensitivity of 62.6%, specificity of 81.3%, and fair agreement (κ = 0.440, CI: 0.298-0.583). In contrast, OG-HFUS demonstrated a sensitivity of 91.8%, specificity of 96.0%, and almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.858, CI: 0.763-0.952). OG-HFUS performed better than MSI in estimating Breslow thickness, emphasizing its potential as a valuable tool for melanoma diagnosis and patient management. OG-HFUS holds promise for enhancing preoperative staging and treatment decision-making in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémi Nóra Varga
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Mehdi Boostani
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Klára Farkas
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - András Bánvölgyi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Kende Lőrincz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Máté Posta
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Ilze Lihacova
- Biophotonics Laboratory, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia, 1004 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.); (A.L.)
| | - Alexey Lihachev
- Biophotonics Laboratory, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia, 1004 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.); (A.L.)
| | - Márta Medvecz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Péter Holló
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Gyorgy Paragh
- Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA;
| | - Norbert M. Wikonkál
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
| | - Szabolcs Bozsányi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
- Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA;
| | - Norbert Kiss
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (N.N.V.); (M.B.); (K.F.); (A.B.); (K.L.); (M.M.); (P.H.); (N.M.W.); (S.B.)
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Glenister K, Bougoulias M, Zgibor J, Bourke L, Simmons D. Self-reported skin cancer-related behaviours in rural Victoria: results from repeat cross-sectional studies in 2001-2003 and 2016-2018. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:382-386. [PMID: 35238449 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether self-reported use of sun-protective measures and skin examination have changed between 2001 and 2018 in a rural setting. METHODS Repeat cross-sectional survey of randomly selected households in four rural Victorian towns. People aged 16 years and older were eligible to participate. Logistic regression was used to identify demographic factors associated with sun-protective measures and skin examination. RESULTS Overall, 5,328 participated in 2001-2003 and 2,680 in 2016-2018. Among participants who go out in the sun, the mean number of reported sun-protective measures (2.6±1.3 vs. 2.6±1.6, p=0.867) and the proportion of participants reporting usually/always using sun protection (65.1% vs. 63.9%, p=0.307) were unchanged between the two surveys. However, an increased proportion of participants reported avoiding the sun when outdoors in the more recent survey (from 18.8% to 34.3%, p<0.001). Avoiding the sun was associated with being older, female, of European origin and having post-secondary school education. Skin examination rates increased between the two surveys (32.7% to 40.8%, p<0.001). Skin examinations were associated with older age groups, European origin and post-secondary school education and being male. CONCLUSIONS Given the small changes in sun protection over time, updated skin cancer campaigns are needed to encourage increased sun-protective behaviours and skin examinations among rural residents. Implications for public health: Results suggest that updated health promotion campaigns targeted to rural areas are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Bougoulias
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida Tampa, US
| | - Janice Zgibor
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida Tampa, US
| | - Lisa Bourke
- Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - David Simmons
- Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria.,Macarthur Clinical School, Western Sydney University, New South Wales
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Trenerry C, Fletcher C, Wilson C, Gunn K. "She'll Be Right, Mate": A Mixed Methods Analysis of Skin Cancer Prevention Practices among Australian Farmers-An At-Risk Group. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052940. [PMID: 35270633 PMCID: PMC8910209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study examined Australian farmers’ engagement with skin cancer prevention behaviours and explored what made it hard for them to be ‘SunSmart’ (barriers), and what could be done to make prevention easier (facilitators). In total, 498 farmers (83.1% male, 22–89 years, 50.8% grain, sheep, or cattle farmers) participated. The least frequently performed SunSmart behaviours (reported as never practiced during summer) were using SPF 30+ sunscreen (16.6%), wearing protective sunglasses (10.5%), and wearing protective clothing (8.6%). Greater engagement (i.e., higher scores on scale from Never to Always) with SunSmart behaviours was explained by gender (female), educational attainment (trade or technical college certificate vs. high school), personal skin cancer history, and skin sun sensitivity. Barriers reported by farmers related to personal preferences (e.g., short-sleeved rather than long-sleeved clothing), comfort, and perceived impracticality of sun protection. Farmers’ solutions included making protective clothing and sunscreen more appropriate for farm work (e.g., by making clothing more breathable). A personal health scare was the most reported motivation for skin cancer prevention. Findings highlight the need for increased access to sun-protective clothing and sunscreen that is suitable for wearing when working on farms, complemented by culturally appropriate health education messaging, to encourage more farmers to perform SunSmart behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Trenerry
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
| | - Chloe Fletcher
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Carlene Wilson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
- Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Research Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Kate Gunn
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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