U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Screening for Skin Cancer

Release Date: April 2001

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

Summary of Recommendations

• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for skin cancer using a total-body skin examination for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma, basal cell cancer, or squamous cell skin cancer.

  Rating: I recommendation.

  Rationale: Evidence is lacking that skin examination by clinicians is effective in reducing mortality or morbidity from skin cancer. The USPSTF could not determine the benefits and harms of periodic skin examination. (Go to Clinical Considerations for discussion of selected populations at high risk.)

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Supporting Documents

Screening for Skin Cancer, April 2001
Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 130 KB)
Summary of Evidence (PDF File, 211 KB)
Systematic Evidence Review (File Download, 167 KB)

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