Dr. Oliveria has been spending the majority of her time developing an early detection/screening research program under the guidance of Allan Halpern, MD, Dermatology Service Chief. She has just completed the first year of a five year K07 Career Development Award: 'The Secondary Prevention of Melanoma'. The program is focused on epidemiologic and outcomes research pertaining to skin cancer control through early detection. The areas of interest include skin self-examination, screening, and new technologies. Dr. Oliveria, as a Co-Principal Investigator, recently received funding for an R01 application, The Framingham School Nevus Study. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate specific genetic and environmental factors as risk factors for nevus development and growth in early adolescence. A secondary aim is to document the clinical and dermoscopic evolution of individual nevi in this age group.
In collaboration with Marianne Berwick, PhD, she has conducted several studies on the effects of patient knowledge and awareness on skin self-examination and melanoma detection. She has also collaborated with others in her department on a research program to study alternative strategies in skin cancer screening with an emphasis on the use of specialized nurse examiners as well as computer technology for surveillance of high risk patients.
Selected Bibliography:
1. Oliveria SA, Altman JF, Christos PJ, Halpern AC. Use of nonphysician health care providers for skin cancer screening in the primary care setting. Prev Med 2002;34:374-379.
2. Negin BP, Riedel E, Oliveria SA, Berwick M, Coit DG, Brady MS. Symptoms and signs of primary melanoma: Important predictors of Breslow depth. Cancer 2003;98:344-348.
3. Oliveria SA, Chau D, Christos PJ, Charles CA, Mushlin AI, Halpern AC. Diagnostic accuracy of patients in performing skin self-examination and the impact of digital photography. Arch Dermatol 2004;140:57-62.
4. Oliveria SA, Geller AC, Dusza SW, Marghoob AA, Sachs D, Weinstock MA, Buckminster M, Halpern AC. The Framingham School Nevus Study: A Pilot Study. Arch Dermatol 2004;140:545-51.
5. Oliveria SA, Dusza SW, Phelan DL, Ostroff JS, Berwick M, Halpern AC. Patient adherence to skin self-examination. Effect of a nurse intervention with photographs. Am J Prev Med 2004;26:152-5.
