Subungual melanoma: The attitudes, knowledge, and referral patterns of nail technicians

Background: Subungual melanoma (SM) accounts for 2%-10% of all melanomas and cannot be distinguished from benign conditions such as longitudinal melanonychia by inspection alone. Low ten-year survival in SM has been attributed to delayed diagnosis, thus early detection may improve outcomes. Early specialist referral and dermatoscopy is useful for proper diagnosis and care. A mnemonic to educate the lay population on findings concerning for SM was created in 2000, but dissemination to the public has been poor.