Social Media Campaign for Skin Cancer Prevention

Overseen By Jerod Stapleton, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Jerod L Stapleton, PhD

Disqualifiers: None

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if social media can reduce tanning among frequent indoor or outdoor tanners. The researchers use Facebook to share information about healthy behaviors, positive body image, and tanning effects. Participants divide into two groups: one focuses on tanning and healthy body image, while the other discusses topics like stress reduction and healthy eating. The trial suits those who have tanned at least 10 times in the past year and use Facebook at least four times a week. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could promote healthier lifestyle choices and improved body image.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this social-media intervention is safe for promoting healthy behaviors?

Research has shown that using social media to promote skin health is generally safe and effective. Studies have found that these methods can help people reduce tanning without significant side effects. This approach involves sharing information and encouraging healthy habits on platforms like Facebook.

In this trial, participants will view content about healthy lifestyles, such as avoiding tanning and promoting a positive body image. Previous research indicates that similar social media campaigns have not reported any major safety issues. Therefore, participants can expect a safe and positive experience while engaging with the content. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Social-Media Intervention for skin cancer prevention because it uses a novel approach that leverages the power of social media platforms, like Facebook, to spread awareness and promote healthy behaviors. Unlike traditional educational campaigns or routine dermatological screenings, this intervention actively engages participants through interactive content that encourages them to avoid tanning and excessive ultraviolet exposure, while also focusing on promoting a healthy body image. This method not only educates but also fosters a supportive community where individuals can share experiences and motivations, making it a unique and potentially more impactful way to prevent skin cancer compared to standard approaches.

What evidence suggests that this social-media intervention is effective for reducing tanning?

This trial will compare two social media interventions. Group I will focus on tanning and healthy body image, while Group II will address other health topics. Studies have shown that social media can help prevent skin cancer. Research indicates that these online efforts can reach many people, especially those at high risk who use indoor tanning. Specifically, one study found that social media ads directed people to useful health information about indoor tanning, reaching over a million users. Another review showed that social media campaigns can encourage healthy habits and increase awareness about skin health. Overall, these findings suggest that social media can help reduce risky tanning behaviors. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jerod Stapleton, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kentucky

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for high-risk tanners who have used indoor tanning beds or intentionally tanned outdoors at least 10 times in the past year and use Facebook at least four times a week. It's not specified who can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

High-risk indoor or outdoor tanner (defined as using an indoor tanning bed or intentionally tanning outdoors at least 10 times in the previous 12 months)

Use of Facebook at least 4 times per week

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage with a social media intervention via Facebook for 8 weeks, focusing on healthy lifestyle behaviors including avoiding tanning.

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in tanning behavior and other health outcomes at 3, 8, and 18 months post baseline assessment.

18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Social-Media Intervention

Trial Overview The study is testing if a social-media intervention via Facebook can reduce tanning behaviors among high-risk indoor and outdoor tanners, aiming to promote healthy behaviors and positive body image.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group I (focusing on tanning and healthy body image) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants periodically read the content on the study-specific private and hidden Facebook group related to living a healthy lifestyle including avoiding tanning and excessive ultraviolet exposure, managing stress, healthy eating, promoting physically active lifestyles, and promoting a healthy body image, and participate in the group by providing reactions, commenting on the posts, or by sharing study relevant information within the group for 8 weeks.

Group II: Group II (focusing on other health topics) Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants participate in private and hidden Facebook groups that utilize content from the intervention content library related to other health topics of interest (e.g., physical activity, healthy eating, alcohol misuse prevention, stress reduction, sleep) for 8 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Jerod L Stapleton, PhD

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

760+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125878/

Impact of Social Media on Skin Cancer Prevention - PMC Our results demonstrate that social media interventions have shown promise in skin cancer prevention and continue to escalate by the day.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379717303203

Rethinking the Use of Social Media for Skin Cancer ... This review focuses on skin cancer prevention, the role of indoor tanning in skin cancer prevention, and how social media may be leveraged to improve ...

3. ajpmfocus.org ajpmfocus.org/article/S2773-0654(23)00060-3/fulltext

A Social Media–Based Public Health Campaign to Reduce ... Social media advertisements directed high-risk groups to indoor tanning health information. Indoor tanning health information advertisements reached 1 million ...

4. aacrjournals.org aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/34/6/962/762616/Digital-Skin-Cancer-Risk-Reduction-Interventions

Digital Skin Cancer Risk Reduction Interventions for Young ... This digital intervention offers the potential to reduce skin cancer risk in a large population of US young adults.

5. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e54241

Social Media Potential and Impact on Changing Behaviors ... This review aimed to collect and summarize research assessing the impact of social media on skin health promotion activities undertaken by social media users.

6. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/bjd/advance-article/doi/10.1093/bjd/ljaf313/8229589

can social media and legislation save us from ourselves ... This Perspectives article discusses the intersection between social media influence, sunbed usage and rising skin cancer incidence in ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8100627/

Results of a social media campaign to prevent indoor ... Indoor tanning (IT) increases risk of developing skin cancer. A social media campaign to reduce mother's permissiveness toward their teenage ...