S3 guideline on skin cancer prevention: evaluation and updating procedure

Abstract

Originally published in 2014, the S3 guideline "Prevention of skin cancer" is the first evidence-based guideline available exclusively for primary and secondary prevention, which summarizes interprofessional consented recommendations for skin cancer risk reduction and early detection. Due to the large number of new publications and expanding focus, an update was deemed necessary. After a structured needs assessment, key questions were prioritized. The resulting systematic literature search resulted in a three-stage screening process. Recommendations formulated in working groups were approved in a formal consensus process, taking into account conflicts of interest, and finalized after a 6‑week public consultation process. The needs assessment identified "skin cancer screening" (60.1%), "individual risk avoidance behaviors" (44.20%), and "risk factors" (43.48%) as topics of greatest interest. The prioritization phase resulted in 41 new key questions. A total of 22 key issues were re-evaluated in an evidence-based manner using 93 publications. As part of comprehensive guideline restructuring, 61 recommendations were newly developed and 43 were modified. The consultation phase resulted in no changes to recommendations and 33 changes to background material. The identified need for change resulted in extensive modification and redrafting of recommendations. As the target group "nononcology patients" cannot be identified via cancer registries or certification systems, no quality indicators can be derived from the guideline. To transfer the guideline to health care, innovative, addressee-specific concepts are required, which will be discussed and implemented during the preparation of the patient guideline.