In 2016, an estimated 76,400 US men and women will develop melanoma and 10,100 will die from the disease, according to a recent statement released by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for skin cancer. The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening for skin cancer with a clinical visual skin examination in reducing skin cancer morbidity and mortality and death from any cause; its potential harms; and whether its use leads to earlier detection of skin cancer compared with usual care. They found:

• Evidence to assess the net benefit of screening for skin cancer with a clinical visual skin examination is limited.

• The potential for harm clearly exists, including a high rate of unnecessary biopsies, possibly resulting in cosmetic or, more rarely, functional adverse effects, and the risk of over diagnosis and overtreatment.

• The current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of visual skin examination by a clinician to screen for skin cancer in adults.