risk prediction models for melanoma

We systematically reviewed the world literature reporting the development or validation of models to predict risk of developing melanoma. After searching Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, 25 risk models were included in the review.

Summary: The models considered 144 risk factors with the most frequent being the number of naevi, presence of freckles, history of sunburn, hair colour and skin colour. Only two of the included models were validated using an external population.We suggest that further research should be focusing on validating the existing risk models rather than developing new ones.

Publication
Usher-Smith JA, Emery J, Kassianos AP, Walter FM. Risk prediction models for melanoma: a systematic review. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers. 2014. doi:10.1158/1055-9965