
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This study looked at why some people prolong going to their doctor (GP) when they have a symptom that could be melanoma. This study was supported by Cancer Research UK as part of the National Awareness and Early Detection Initiative (NAEDI).
Doctors know that the earlier melanoma is detected, the easier it is to treat. In this study researchers wanted to look at what made some people go to their GP sooner than others.
The aims of the study were to
The study team found that there were a lot of reasons why people prolonged going to the doctor when they have a symptom that could be melanoma. People with both thinner and thicker melanomas didn’t recognise their skin changes at first as warning signs to see their GP. The study suggests there is a difference between the information people need when assessing changes to their skin and the information and images currently available.
63 people took part in this study. They had all been recently diagnosed with melanoma. The researchers interviewed everybody and asked
The main reasons that people prolonged going to the doctor were that
The study team also found that
In this study, most people diagnosed with melanoma didn’t think that their skin changes were worth worrying about to begin with. The study team suggest that improving information and images of early melanomas and encouraging people to see their doctor straight away with these skin changes could help melanoma to be diagnosed earlier.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Fiona Walter
National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI)
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
University of Cambridge
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”