Projected Burden of Melanoma Clinical Surveillance

Charles Ellis from the University of Michigan and the VA hospital presented an analysis on the projected burden of melanoma clinical surveillance. He highlighted the growing prevalence of melanoma, noting it is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in the U.S., particularly affecting individuals under 65, and leading to an increased demand for full-body skin exams. The team utilized U.S. guidelines from AAD and NCCN, combining census data and melanoma prevalence statistics to project the number of recommended exams. Their findings suggest a significant rise in required full body skin exams, with demands depending on patient attrition rates. The conservative and aggressive surveillance models indicate that a projected need for 1,000 to 2,000 more dermatologists in the coming years will be necessary to meet this demand. The results emphasize the necessity for adaptable dermatological practices, potentially including teledermatology. Ellis encouraged participants to consider how these projections could impact their practices, providing tools for individual estimation of future patient exam loads based on different attrition rates. In conclusion, he cautioned that dermatologists should prepare for increased demand on their clinical time as melanoma surveillance needs continue to grow.