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Table 2 Factors affecting presentation of people subsequently diagnosed with melanoma to their GP

From: Patient understanding of moles and skin cancer, and factors influencing presentation in primary care: a qualitative study

 

Pre-existing awareness

Detecting and appraising change

Inferring illness

Deciding to seek help

Patient ID 5

[M, 83, EL 5]

*Grew up in hot climate and over-exposed to sunlight

*Several moles removed some years ago

*Friend and daughter recently treated for skin cancer

*Aware of mole for about 2 years

*'I thought it was something else'

*Noticed by GP

*Felt 'alarm, and relieved that it had been noticed'.

Patient ID 7

[M, 83, EL unknown]

*Worked outdoors 'all adult life, often with shirt off, which I regret now'

*Many black moles on back

*Aware of mole in middle of forehead for 'a long while' 'had it for years'

*New black mark in centre

*'Its got bigger'

*'I kept thinking it was a birthmark'

*It's still flat, not a lump'

*Noticed by GP

Patient ID 12

[M, 61, EL3]

*Aware of danger of sun damage

*Friend recently treated for skin cancer on face

*Aware of mole going darker 'months ago'

*Compared mole with description of melanoma in paper but he and partner felt not similar

*Not easily visible so not concerned

*Competing demands of self employment

*Able to play golf so 'How can I be ill?'

*Young son suggested visit to doctor 'a couple of times' before made appointment

Patient ID 19

[F, 79, EL 1]

*Lived in tropics for many years as adult

*Wears suncream to play golf

*Noticed adjacent mole which is 'bigger and darker' about 1 year ago

 

*Noticed by GP