Patient Preference for Prevention of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer After Organ Transplantation
Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2020
For organ-transplant recipients, skin cancers account for between 40% and 50% of all post-transplant malignancies, and these malignancies are often more aggressive than skin cancers in the general population. A study published in the European Journal of Dermatology found that although most recipients of organ transplants were well informed about the risk of skin cancer, few actually monitored their skin after transplantation.
“The present study demonstrates a need for improved educational and prevention strategies for [organ-transplant recipients], specifically for a younger patient population,” stated Nicole Basset Seguin, MD, PhD, of the Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, and colleagues.
This study recruited 200 patients from France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The participants, all recipients of solid organ transplants and under immunosuppressive therapy, completed an online survey containing 28 close-ended and 4 open-ended questions.
Dr. Basset Seguin and colleagues discovered that most patients were well informed about the risk of skin cancer. However, only 27% (53/200) of those surveyed actually monitored their skin after transplantation. Most patients reported intense sun exposure once a month or more. Nevertheless, more than half of patients were motivated to use additional prevention strategies and limit their sun exposure. For respondents, the most widely accepted prevention strategy was the use of a cosmetically attractive, water-resistant, paraben/fragrance-free cream.
“A one-size-fits-all approach is not an appropriate prevention strategy, and an adapted approach based on patients’ preferences may significantly contribute to better compliance and adherence,” concluded the researchers.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit jle.com.
