Inaccuracies in self-reported histories of non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a major cause of morbidity and health expenditure in Australia.1 Primary prevention of NMSC through reduced sun exposure has been widely promoted and seems to be reducing this burden.2 Secondary prevention aimed at reducing the increased risk (up to 15-fold) of subsequent lesions3,4 in patients following a first incident NMSC is an additional approach with the potential to reduce cost and morbidity. This letter reports on the findings of a pilot study undertaken to test the feasibility of recruiting patients with a first incident NMSC using the Tasmanian Cancer Registry (TCR). Accurate identification of subjects with a first NMSC is essential for studies investigating potentially modifiable risk factors for subsequent lesions. The TCR is the only Australian registry to record NMSC notifications. Individuals were selected