Skin Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
skin cancer prevention, SHADE, Beach
Brief summary
This study was an evaluation of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Blum Family Resource Center Van's existing skin cancer screening and education program. This program occurred over 2 summers. This study will fill a critical gap in the investigators' knowledge about how best to address the high-risk behaviors that regularly occur during the summertime at beaches. The investigators randomized beaches to receive different combinations of the van program components in order to determine how services should optimally be configured to maximize impact. The investigators hypothesized that providing all three components (1-Skin cancer prevention education; 2-Biometric feedback using a Dermascan Analyzer that illustrates skin damage due to sun exposure and Ultra Violet (UV) Reflectance Photography; and 3-Dermatologist skin exam) will maximize knowledge and behavior change, relative to education alone.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALeducation about sun protection
This comprehensive education program included a visit with a health educator, on the education van, who gave education about sun safety.
BEHAVIORALbiometric feedback
Participants received biometric feedback using a Dermascan Analyzer and Ultra Violet (UV) Reflectance Photography. The Dermascan Analyzer is an educational tool that enhances visibility of skin texture, markings or lesions and is commonly used in health fairs and at schools all over the country. The analyzer highlights the sun damage on the participants skin as dark purple blotches, which the participants are able to see in the mirror placed inside the analyzer. Ultra Violet (UV) Reflectance Photography provides participants with a visual image of their skin damage that can be taken with them.
OTHERdermatologist skin exam
Full body skin exam.
Sponsors
The Shilling SHADE Foundation of America
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Beachgoers eligible to participate in the study included: * those who were 18 years and older * Caucasian * able to understand, speak and read English * ability to give informed consent * had not already enrolled in the study at another participating beach
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| sun protection behaviors | 4-6 months post-intervention |
| sun burns | 4-6 months post-intervention |
| skin self-exams | 4-6 months post-intervention |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed