USPSTF: Evidence Is Insufficient to Recommend Skin Cancer Screening

In 2001, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that evidence was insufficient to recommend for or against screening for skin cancer. In a 2009 update, the task force again concluded that the evidence remains insufficient to assess (in the general adult population) the balance of benefits and harms associated with whole-body skin examinations (performed by primary care clinicians or patients) for early detection of cutaneous melanoma, basal cell cancer, or squamous cell cancer. I Statement (The USPSTF concludes that current evidence is insufficient; the grading system can be accessed on the USPSTF website.)

The systematic review identified no new controlled studies in which researchers addressed the effects of screening o…