Melanoma overdiagnosis soars among white Americans, study finds

Greater than half of all melanoma diagnoses amongst white Individuals could also be overdiagnosed, in line with a brand new examine led by a researcher at Dell Medical College on the College of Texas at Austin.

“Instances of cutaneous melanoma have risen considerably within the U.S. over the past 40 years, with out an equal rise in mortality—which factors to overdiagnosis,” mentioned Ade Adamson, M.D., M.P.P., lead writer of the examine and an assistant professor within the Division of Inside Medication at Dell Med. “Overdiagnosis occurs when a melanoma is identified that’s really innocent. Meaning the affected person could endure costly, pointless remedies which will do much more hurt than good.”

The analysis, published within the journal BMJ Proof-Based mostly Medication, discovered that an estimated 49.7% of melanomas identified in white males and 64.6% in white ladies have been overdiagnosed in 2018—a complete of about 83,000 circumstances. Utilizing nationwide information from 1975 to 2018, researchers additionally discovered that the lifetime risk of being overdiagnosed with melanoma elevated through the years.

A big proportion of overdiagnosed melanomas are within the earliest stage (Stage 0—also referred to as melanoma in situ). The authors estimate that 89% of melanoma in situ are overdiagnosed in white men and 85% in white women within the US.

“This examine should not dissuade individuals from getting regarding moles evaluated for melanoma, particularly in case you are excessive threat,” mentioned Adamson. “Nevertheless, my hope is that it informs how individuals obtain a melanoma analysis and brings consciousness to the phenomenon of overdiagnosis an unintended consequence of screening.”