Melanoma: nível de percepção sobre a prevenção e detecção precoce de jovens adultos atendidos nas Unidades de Saúde da Família de Colinas/MA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Skin cancer is characterized by alterations in melanocytic cells, and it is the neoplasm with the highest incidence among malignant tumors in Brazil. Melanoma is considered rare among skin cancers and stands out for its aggressiveness and high possibility of metastasis. Prevention and early detection are the most viable strategies for reducing involvement and mortality from melanoma, with a positive prognosis when discovered in the early stages. AIM: To examine the level of perception and early detection measures used by the young adult population assisted at the Family Health Units of Colinas-MA regarding melanoma skin cancer. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, with young adults assisted in Basic Health Units. Data collection was carried out in person through a semi-structured questionnaire containing closed questions, using the Google Forms platform. RESULTS: There was a prevalence of female participants, with complete high school and with a family income of 1 minimum wage, from formal work. It was evident that 73.9% of the sample claimed to know about melanoma cancer, with a predominance of occurrence in whites/Caucasians (77.0%), with prevention through protective measures such as the use of sunscreen (99.4%). %), early detection (100%) and understand that early diagnosis reduces cases and deaths from melanoma (99.4%). In addition, 91.5% indicated that they are able to observe changes in the skin, as for family history, 30.3% stated that they have cases of cancer in the family, of which 4.8% are cases of melanoma. With regard to the factors that cause skin cancer, their etiology was mainly associated with cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation (93.3%) and toxic substances, environmental determinants and lifestyle. Regarding the perception of risk, it is noted that the participants consider that they could reasonably reduce the risk of developing the disease (M=6.88; SD=2.354), who have a moderate risk of having the disease (M=4, 48; SD=2.549) and when comparing the risk to gender, it is observed that the mean is similar (M=4.53; SD=2.536). Regarding the severity of the melanoma, they scored significantly with an average equivalent to 8.70 (SD= 1.8). Participants were able to identify patterns of lesions suggestive of the presence of MMC where they correctly marked the F images (30.9%); B (29.1%); and E (8.5%). The analysis using the Fisher's Exact Test allowed identifying a significant dependence between the variables, 80% of the men and 93.6% of the women believed they had the ability to perceive any evolution of skin lesions, as well as, in the application of the same test, but related to schooling, participants with levels of education related to Elementary School, Elementary, Middle School and Higher Education, are aware of the disease and consider the white race to be the most affected. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the public has a satisfactory knowledge of the issues addressed in the instrument used, as well as the importance of intensifying prevention and awareness actions in the context of Primary Care, towards the population while preventive and control measures related to melanoma cancer.