How much do the public know about moles, skin cancer and malignant melanoma? The results of a postal survey

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Abstract
A survey of public knowledge about moles, skin cancer and malignant melanoma took place prior to a Cancer Research Campaign publicity campaign about malignant melanoma. The survey was postal and involved a systematic sample of 1250 people, 250 from the electoral roll of five towns in the United Kingdom, three of which were targeted in the publicity campaign. There was a 63 per cent response rate. Knowledge scores were computed, and will be used to compare knowledge prior to and after the publicity. Mean scores were significantly higher in women, in those who finished education aged 17 or more and in those from the non-manual social classes. Scores did not vary significantly between the younger and older age groups or between the five towns. The survey found areas of public ignorance. Only a quarter of the sample had heard of melanoma and only 28 per cent had seen any publicity about moles, skin cancer or melanoma. The survey results suggest that public education needs to emphasize the early features of possible melanoma, the potential that preexisting moles have to become cancerous, and the greater risk of developing melanoma for people with fair hair and a fair complexion.

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