Dermoscopy Training for General Practitioners Cuts Skin Cancer Mortality

Strategic Insights -

Research from Centre Leon Berard and published in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual suggests that empowerment of primary care medicine through dermoscopy learning is a promising way to overcome the shortage of diagnostic offer for skin cancer screening. In France, a shortage of dermatologists has led to primary care being an optimal setting for skin cancer screening. The Association of French GPs practicing Dermoscopy was created in 2021 to promote and legitimize dermoscopy practice among general practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

  • A survey of 85 general practitioners in France who had completed dermoscopy training reported detecting 266 melanomas over a three-year period, which is approximately 1.6 per year of dermoscopy practice per doctor.
  • Of the detected melanomas, 39.5% were in situ, and only 22.4% had a Breslow thickness above 1mm, which is a substantial improvement compared to previously reported data on GP-detected melanomas.
  • The study suggests that integrating skin cancer screening into primary care practice may contribute to melanoma early detection and support ongoing efforts to lower melanoma mortality.
  • The Association of French GPs practicing Dermoscopy was created in response to the shortage of dermatologists in France, and its members reported detecting 105 in situ melanomas and 36 melanomas with a Breslow thickness above 1mm.
  • The survey was shared online and received a response rate of 85 general practitioners out of an unknown total number of members.

Statistics:

  • 266 melanomas were detected by dermoscopy-trained general practitioners over a three-year period.
  • 105 (39.5%) of the detected melanomas were in situ.
  • 36 (22.4%) of the detected melanomas had a Breslow thickness above 1mm.
  • The mean number of detected melanomas per doctor per year was 2.9.
  • 85 general practitioners responded to the survey.

Sources:

  • Centre Leon Berard. Researchers' Work from Centre Leon Berard Focuses on Skin Cancer (Improving melanoma screening in primary care: the Experience of the Association of French General Practitioners Practicing Dermoscopy). Health & Medicine Week. August 22, 2025; p 6792.
  • Improving melanoma screening in primary care: the Experience of the Association of French General Practitioners Practicing Dermoscopy. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2025,15(3).