Mission Hospital

Community Skin Cancer Screening Report for FY: 2014 - 2016

Scope: Skin cancer will affect 1 in 5 Americans. Of the skin cancers, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common. The most deadly skin cancer, melanoma, occurs less often but is increasing in prevalence. It has an incidence rate in Orange County of about 40 per 100,000 populations (2005-2009). Mission Hospital’s service area lies in sunny southern Orange County and encompasses many beach communities where sun exposure is high. The 2011 Community Needs Assessment in Laguna Beach revealed that residents in that seaside community considered skin cancer to be one of their top concerns. Because malignant melanoma can be deadly, and because the number of new melanoma cases has been steadily increasing over the past several decades, early detection and treatment of the disease is critical. “The only widely proposed screening procedure for skin cancer is visual examination of the skin, including self-examination as well as clinical examination. In asymptomatic populations, the effect of visual examination on mortality from non-melanomatuous skin cancers is unknown.” (National Cancer Institute, 2012) Research from the American Academy of Dermatology finds that half of all screened would not have had themselves screened if not for the free screening. Further research by Boston University for the past ten years, shows that when lesions detected by the screenings were compared with those reported in SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Registry), screenings found cancers before they reached more advanced stages (American Academy of Dermatology, 2011). Public skin cancer screenings can produce other benefits. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality noted in 2007 that people who underwent a skin examination by a physician were more likely to perform their own self-examinations. A case-control study detected a reduced risk of melanoma and reduced mortality from melanoma associated with skin self-examination. And they noted that non-melanoma skin cancer, which is not usually lethal except in transplant patients, if diagnosed early, results in less extensive surgery and/or radiation therapy on highly visible sites such as the head and neck.” (The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2007)

Services Available

Services and interventions provided are based on the evidence-based American Academy of Dermatology yearly guidelines for melanoma/skin cancer screenings. (“SPOTme Skin Cancer Screening--2016 Program Guidelines,” AAD, 2016.)

  • Two free, public skin cancer screenings are held each year—one at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and one in Laguna Beach.
  • Being a Catholic hospital, concern for the poor and underserved is primary to the ministry of Mission Hospital. Therefore, extensive outreach activities are performed in the low income, underserved communities. However, the skin cancer screening is open to all and is marketed to all.
  • A follow-up process is developed and in place to follow-up with presumptive positive findings and recommendations for biopsies. Medical homes will be found for those without health insurance or a physician.
  • AAD skin cancer prevention printed materials are available at the screening in English and Spanish. A prevention video including sun screen and self-exam information runs nearly continuously.

Data from 2015-2016 Skin Cancer Screenings:

FY2014
October 2013
Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church
Participants: 77
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # Found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 12 / 16%
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 8 / 11%
Melanoma / 1 / 2%
Dysplastic nevus w/recommended Biopsy or F/U care / 5 / 7%
/ April 2, 2014
Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo
Participants: 79
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # Found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 12 / 15%
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 4 / 4%
Melanoma / 2 / 2.5%
Dysplastic nevus w/recommended Biopsy or F/U care / 6 / 7.5%
FY2015
September 30, 2014
Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church
Participants: 88
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # Found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 8 / 10
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 3 / 3.5
Melanoma / 2 / 2
Dysplastic nevus w/recommended Biopsy or F/U care / 12 / 13.5
/ April 2015
Mission Hospital – Mission Viejo
Participants: 72
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # Found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 9 / 13%
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 1 / 1.5%
Melanoma / 3 / 4%
Dysplastic nevus w/recommended Biopsy or F/U care / 8 / 11%
FY2016
September 17, 2015
Laguna Presbyterian Church
Participants: 79
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 14 / 18 %
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 1 / 1.2 %
Melanoma / 3 / 4%
Dysplastic Nevus w/recommended biopsy or f/u care / 4 / 5%
/ March 28, 2016
Mission Conference Center - Mission Viejo
Participants: 83
Presumptive Cancer Diagnosis / # found / %
Basal Cell Carcinoma / 6 / 7%
Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 2 / 2.5%
Melanoma / 0 / 0%
Dysplastic Nevus w/recommended biopsy or f/u care / 7 / 8%