The role of physical therapists in the early detection of skin melanoma: insights from an anonymous survey

Introduction: Skin melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. Recent years have seen an increase in melanoma incidence. Melanomas often appear on the back, a hidden area, leading to late diagnoses. Physical therapists, who frequently treat patients with lower back pain, could play a crucial role in early melanoma detection. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among 254 Israeli physical therapists to assess their perspectives on melanoma detection, their knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions, and their referral patterns. The survey included sections on demographics, professional perspectives, melanoma knowledge, personal or family experiences with melanoma, and referral frequency for dermatological evaluation. Results: The survey revealed that 75.2% of physical therapists viewed melanoma detection as part of their professional duties, yet 59.1% reported insufficient knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions. Despite this, 94.1% expressed a desire to improve their knowledge. However, only 44.1% actively referred patients with suspicious lesions to dermatologists. There was a significant positive correlation between professional experience and referral rates (p-value < 0.001), indicating that more experienced therapists were more likely to refer patients. Discussion: The study highlights the critical need for incorporating melanoma detection training into physical therapy education and professional development. Enhancing physical therapists’ knowledge and skills in this area could improve early detection and patient outcomes. Despite the potential role of physical therapists in melanoma detection, current training programs lack emphasis on this aspect, underscoring the importance of revising educational curricula to include skin cancer detection techniques. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while physical therapists recognize their role in melanoma detection, there is a significant knowledge gap. Addressing this through targeted education and training could enhance early detection efforts and improve patient care.