Fifth and Sixth Grade Medical Faculty Students’ Awareness About Melanoma: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objective: Melanoma is a rapidly progressing malignancy that can cause death in a short time with metastases. Early diagnosis and large excision are associated with a 5-year survival rate of 98%. Our aim in this study is; to increase awareness of the Medical Faculty students’ about melanoma that can be diagnosed early with self-skin examination.

Methods: Our study is a descriptive study. The 5th and 6th grade students of the Medical Faculty who applied to the Family Medicine outpatient clinics between September and November 2020, were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was applied to the participants to assess sociodemographic characteristics, melanoma risk factors, awareness and level of knowledge.

Results: One hundred seventy six individuals, 61,9% (n=108) female and 38,1% (n=68) male, were included in the study. 88,1% of the participants were between the ages of 22-25 (min: 20- max: 31). 57,4% (n=101) were 6th grade students and 42,6% (n=75) were 5th grade students. It was seen that students with a family history of skin cancer and students who were suspected of having melanoma and consulted a doctor, the rate of correct answers to the question; “What are the characteristics of melanoma?” was found to be significantly higher (p=0,007, p=0,001, respectively). The rate of correct answers to the same question was also significantly higher (p=0,025) in individuals with freckles.

Conclusion: Medical Faculty students were not aware enough about the prevention and early diagnosis of melanoma. This result indicates the need for new approaches in education.