Organ transplant recipients face a dramatically higher risk of skin cancer due to lifelong immunosuppression, yet screening remains inconsistent.
A review of 17 studies found full-skin examination participation varies widely by country and healthcare setting, even as most guidelines recommend annual checks. The malignancy risk is staggering: squamous cell carcinoma rates are 65 to 250 times higher than the general population, and melanoma is up to ten times more common.
The barriers are multifaceted. Patient-level obstacles include socioeconomic factors. Clinician-level issues involve guideline awareness and prioritizing skin checks during follow-up care. System-level challenges center on structured protocols and access to dermatologists, which together appear to improve screening uptake.
The review calls for clearer referral pathways, annual or more frequent screening, and coordinated care among transplant, primary care, and dermatology teams to reduce preventable morbidity.