Evaluation of Malignant and Pre-Malignant Skin Lesions through Screening Campaigns in a City in the Midwest of Minas Gerais-Brazil

The increasing prevalence of skin cancer worldwide can be understood as the result of excessive exposure to solar radiation. The screening and active search of lesions, as early as its initial phase, has been shown to be the main strategy for secondary prevention and treatment of this disease. Therefore, a voluntary extension project was elaborated with the objective to diagnose and treat the main actinic diseases of the skin. The subsequent article seeks to clarify the main outcomes obtained during this process. Methods: Experience report of extension project focusing on dermatological consultation, outpatient procedures and referral to specialized services aiming at diagnosis and early treatment of skin cancer. Results: Nine screening campaigns were conducted, with a total of 332 patients, and 62% of them had some lesion of premalignant or malignant skin. Among these, the most common lesion was actinic keratosis, followed by basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Conclusion: It was evidenced that extension projects are useful tools for social transformation, because in addition to social engagement and specialized qualification for academics, it promotes health education for the population and facilitates access to secondary health care.