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Evaluating awareness of skin cancer in skin of color organ transplant recipients

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Abstract

Organ transplant recipients are at high risk for skin cancer. Currently, more than half of the transplant waiting list is composed of skin of color patients. Skin cancer in skin of color is associated with higher morbidity and mortality and has a different clinical presentation and risk factors. Yet, skin cancer prevention resources and efforts are primarily focused on non-skin of color patients. A cross-sectional pilot survey was administered to assess and compare skin cancer attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge especially risk factors and features specific to skin of color between skin of color and non-skin of color organ transplant recipients. Patients from a patient list obtained from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center organ transplant center were randomized on Excel and contacted by phone with the choice to participate by phone or online. 219 of 403 patients completed the survey. Skin of color organ transplant recipients was significantly more likely to never practice recommended skin cancer preventative behaviors (p = 0.002, 0.006, 0.02), to hold a lower perceived self-risk (p = 0.02), to worry less about getting skin cancer (p = 0.003), and to have false perceptions about risk factors (p = 0.001, 0.005) in either univariable or multivariable analysis. However, they were more likely (38%, p = 0.02) to recognize human papillomavirus as a risk factor. The knowledge gaps identified can guide the development of skin cancer educational resources that are more comprehensive and relevant to skin of color recipients. This can lead to better outcomes and reduce racial health disparities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Jennifer Wang, Samantha Lopez, Amanda M. Treviño & Daniel Galvan

  2. Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Joan Reisch

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5939 Harry Hines Blvd, 4th Floor, Dallas, TX, 75390-9191, USA

    Rajiv I. Nijhawan & Arturo R. Dominguez

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Arturo R. Dominguez

Authors
  1. Jennifer Wang
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  2. Samantha Lopez
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  3. Amanda M. Treviño
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  4. Daniel Galvan
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  5. Joan Reisch
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  6. Rajiv I. Nijhawan
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  7. Arturo R. Dominguez
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Correspondence to Arturo R. Dominguez.

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Wang, J., Lopez, S., Treviño, A.M. et al. Evaluating awareness of skin cancer in skin of color organ transplant recipients. Arch Dermatol Res 315, 2669–2677 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02371-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02371-x

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