Cochrane Library Special Collection: Diagnosing skin cancer

ThisSpecial Collection of Cochrane Systematic Reviews brings together a large body of research on the accuracy of tests used to diagnose skin cancer.The suite of eleven reviews was  led by Dr Jac Dinnes at the University of Birmingham and supported by theCochrane Skin Group and a team of over 30 researchers and expert advisors, funded by the  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).   The reviews  summarise research evidence assessing the accuracy of different diagnostic tests to support clinical and policy related decision making in the diagnosis of all types of skin cancer. Dr Jac Dinnes, of the University of Birmingham ’s Institute of Applied Health Research, said: “Early and accurate detection of all skin cancer types is essential to manage the disease and to improve survival rates in melanoma, especially given the rate of skin cancer world-wide is rising. The visual nature of skin cancer means that it can be detected and treated in many different ways and by a number of different types of specialists, therefore the aim of these reviews is to provide the world ’s best evidence for how this endemic type of cancer should be identified and treated. "“We have found that careful consideration should be given of the technologies that could be used to make sure that skin cancers are not missed, at the same time ensuring that inappropriate referrals for specialist assessment and inappropriate excision of benign skin lesions are kept to a minimum.”  Key f...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: news