Melanoma during the Pandemic and in U.S. Military Veterans

The presentation discusses the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on melanoma diagnoses, particularly focusing on U.S. military veterans. During the early months of the pandemic, there was a notable decline in melanoma diagnoses, with a more than 50% decrease in patient encounters and a 25% drop in early-stage melanoma cases. This reduction is largely attributed to decreased screening rather than an actual increase in late-stage diagnoses, suggesting that missed early-stage cases could lead to more aggressive outcomes in the future. The talk also highlights innovations in melanoma care during the pandemic, such as teledermatology and mobile dermatoscopy, which may continue to benefit patient care even outside of crisis situations. Veterans, who represent a demographic at high risk for melanoma due to their age, gender, and UV exposure during military service, are shown to have worse melanoma survival rates. The presentation stresses the importance of personalized care for veteran patients, considering their unique risk factors while also encouraging increased awareness and education about skin cancer risks in this population. It emphasizes the need for targeted screening efforts and tailored treatment strategies to improve outcomes for veterans diagnosed with melanoma, especially given the increased incidence and mortality rates seen in older males.