None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will test consumer use of mobile teledermoscopy in the home in combination with the Asymmetry and Colour (AC) lesion identification rule, which together may be a powerful tool for melanoma early detection in the future. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 50 – 64 years, living in Queensland, have had a previous diagnosis of melanoma or skin cancer, and have fair skin or a high number of moles. Trial details Participants in this study will be randomly (by chance) divided into one of two groups. Participants in both groups will receive a Handyscope dermatoscope which they will keep for one month, instructions on dermatoscope functionality and how to email lesions for assessment, and an information booklet describing how to assess lesions using the Asymmetry and Colour Rule for detecting melanoma to allow selection of concerning lesions for submission to the teledermatologist. In addition, participants in one group will also receive detailed skin self-examination (SSE) instructions on how to conduct a thorough whole body SSE. The detailed SSE instructions will guide participants towards hard to see areas such as the back or back of the neck, and the use of two mirrors or utilising the assistance of a partner to visualise these areas. Participants in the other group will receive a set of instructions that will ask participants to look for and photograph suspicious skin lesions without specifying body areas to self-examine. Participants in both groups will be expected to complete one SSE during the month they have the Handyscope dermatoscope, and email their selected lesions of most concern to the dermatologist for evaluation.
Interventions
After informed consent is sought and the baseline questionnaire completed, participants will be randomized by computer-generated random number list into the intervention [detailed Skin Self-Examination (SSE) instructions] or control groups (general SSE instructions).
Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive an information letter detailing an overview of the study, consent form, and reply paid envelope. Participants will keep the Handyscope dermatoscope for one month, and
After informed consent is sought and the baseline questionnaire completed, participants will be randomized by computer-generated random number list into the intervention [detailed Skin Self-Examination (SSE) instructions] or control groups (general SSE instructions). Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive an information letter detailing an overview of the study, consent form, and reply paid envelope. Participants will keep the Handyscope dermatoscope for one month, and will be asked to complete one SSE, and then email their selected lesions of most concern to the dermatologist for evaluation. Teledermoscopy materials All participants will receive the following materials: * Dermatoscope attachment; * Instructions on dermatoscope functionality and how to email lesions for assessment; * An information booklet describing how to assess lesions using the Asymmetry and Colour Rule for detecting melanoma to allow selection of concerning lesions for submission to the teledermatologist. The detailed print-based instructions on how to conduct a thorough whole body SSE guiding participants towards hard to see areas such as the back or back of the neck and the use of two mirrors or utilising the assistance of a partner to visualise these areas, and are based on our previous studies (1). (1) Janda M, Loescher L, Soyer PH. Enhanced skin self-examination – a novel approach to skin cancer monitoring and follow-up. Arch Dermatol (under review).
Sponsors
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI)
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria include: Male and female between 50-64 years of age in Queensland. Previous melanoma or skin cancer diagnosis, fair skin or high number of moles. In addition, stratified sampling will ascertain that 50% of participants will have a history of checking their own skin, whilst the other 50% will have no record of SSE. All participants must be able to speak English to give informed consent. Participants must have access to a smartphone.
Exclusion criteria
People who do not have access to an iPhone, People who have cognitive impairment that prevents them from providing informed consent, People who do not speak English for informed consent, those living outside of Queensland and not available for a visit to QUT for a skin exam.
Outcome results
None listed