Mobile Health Intervention for Skin Cancer Prevention

Overseen By Zhaomeng Niu, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Melanoma, Nonmelanoma skin cancer

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

114 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the Mobile Health Intervention for Skin Cancer Prevention among Hispanics?

Research shows that mobile health (mHealth) interventions can effectively improve cancer screening rates, including for skin cancer, by providing education through videos and interactive multimedia. These interventions have been successful in increasing knowledge and self-screening behaviors, which are important for early detection and prevention of skin cancer among Hispanic populations. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Mobile Health Intervention for Skin Cancer Prevention unique compared to other treatments for skin cancer prevention?

This treatment is unique because it uses a mobile health (mHealth) approach tailored specifically for Hispanic populations, focusing on education and behavior change to improve skin cancer prevention. It leverages technology like apps to encourage protective behaviors, such as sun protection, which is not commonly emphasized in traditional skin cancer prevention methods. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Hypothesis: More than 80% of the participants (n=40) will complete the intervention at three month (intervention completion) and the six month follow-up (retention rate as feasibility). More than 70% of the participants will report high overall study satisfaction (acceptability) with the intervention and study. This pre-pilot will inform intervention and procedural refinements for the pilot. Hypothesis: Participants who receive the intervention (n=57) will report more skin cancer-related preventive behaviors (e.g., mean of summed score of sun protection behaviors such as use of sunscreen, etc.) at three month and six month follow-up compared to those in the control condition (n=57, who will receive general information about physical activity and nutrition).

Research Team

Zhaomeng Niu, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Hispanic adults who don't protect themselves enough from the sun, are over 18, haven't checked their skin for cancer recently, have risk factors for skin cancer, identify as Hispanic, and are willing to use WhatsApp on a smartphone. Those currently treated for any skin cancer cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I have never had skin cancer.

You have not had a skin self-examination in the past three months.

I have more than one risk factor for skin cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently receiving treatment for skin cancer.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive WhatsApp messages about skin cancer for three months and complete a post-intervention survey

3 months

Virtual engagement via WhatsApp

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for skin cancer-related preventive behaviors and complete follow-up surveys

6 months

Surveys at 3 and 6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Hispanics Skin Cancer intervention
• Mobile-based and user-centered intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile health intervention aimed at preventing skin cancer among Hispanics by promoting protective behaviors like using sunscreen. Participants will be compared with a control group receiving general health advice on physical activity and nutrition.

Participant Groups

Group I: Mobile skin cancer intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Conduct a pilot of the refined intervention among Hispanics to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of the user-centered mobile skin cancer intervention program.

Group II: Control group: physical activity and nutrition information Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will complete a baseline survey first; and then they will be randomly assigned into either the intervention group or the control group. After the random allocation participants will receive instructions on how to use WhatsApp and then the intervention. The participants will receive WhatsApp messages about skin cancer for three months with optimal frequencies determined by prior aims and complete a post-intervention survey which contains the same questions in the pre-survey. The participants will be contacted at six months after the baseline survey to complete another survey similar to the post-intervention survey.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Findings from Research

A study involving Hispanic participants from Tampa, Florida, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, revealed low levels of sun-protective behaviors, with about 30% experiencing sunburns in the past year, highlighting a significant risk for skin cancer.

Despite low protective behaviors, participants showed high self-efficacy and response efficacy regarding skin cancer prevention, suggesting that culturally tailored interventions based on Protection Motivation Theory could effectively enhance sun safety practices in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer prevention behaviors, beliefs, distress, and worry among hispanics in Florida and Puerto Rico. Lacson, JCA., Soto-Torres, B., Sutton, SK., et al.[2023]

In a study of 920 Hispanic participants, precision prevention using genetic testing for the MC1R gene significantly improved sun protection behaviors, such as increased sunscreen use and clinical skin exams, among those identified as higher-risk for skin cancer.

The intervention did not increase cancer worry among participants and showed no significant effects on average-risk individuals, highlighting the need for continued awareness and prevention efforts specifically tailored for the Hispanic community.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of precision prevention materials incorporating MC1R genetic risk to improve skin cancer prevention activities among Hispanics. Lacson, JCA., Doyle, SH., Del Rio, J., et al.[2023]

A community-based project in North San Diego County successfully educated 34 Hispanic/Latino participants about melanoma prevention and screening, leading to significant increases in their knowledge and self-efficacy regarding skin self-examinations.

The study highlighted that this community is at moderate to high risk for melanoma due to factors like low income, low education levels, and limited access to healthcare, emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing Melanoma Screening Among Hispanic/Latino Americans: A Community-Based Educational Intervention. Chung, GY., Brown, G., Gibson, D.[2022]

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been shown to effectively improve cancer screening rates among Hispanic/Latinx populations, particularly for easily screened cancers like skin and cervical cancer, based on a review of 10 studies published between 2017 and 2020.

The reviewed studies primarily focused on educational content delivered through videos and interactive multimedia, but lacked clarity on how these interventions were culturally adapted, highlighting the need for future research to explore the specific features that enhance their effectiveness in increasing cancer screening rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening Rates in Hispanic/Latinx Populations: A Scoping Review. Watanabe-Galloway, S., Ratnapradipa, K., Subramanian, R., et al.[2023]

A study involving 140 participants showed that Hispanic individuals had lower awareness and perception of skin cancer risk compared to non-Hispanic whites, which may lead to later-stage diagnoses.

Only 15% of Hispanics performed skin self-examinations (SSE) in the past year, compared to 32% of non-Hispanics, highlighting a significant gap in skin cancer awareness and preventive practices among different ethnic groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer awareness in suburban employees: a Hispanic perspective. Pipitone, M., Robinson, JK., Camara, C., et al.[2022]

A study involving 200 participants revealed that users strongly prefer automatic self-monitoring features in sun protection apps, as well as no cost over a small payment, indicating a desire for convenience and affordability in health technology.

Participants also favored options for data sharing with healthcare providers and customizable reminders, suggesting that features enhancing user control and personalization can significantly improve the appeal of health apps for sun protection.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-Monitoring App Preferences for Sun Protection: Discrete Choice Experiment Survey Analysis. Nittas, V., Mütsch, M., Braun, J., et al.[2021]

Only 17.6% of Hispanic adults reported ever conducting a skin self-examination (SSE), and just 9.2% had received a total cutaneous examination (TCE) from a health professional, indicating low engagement in skin cancer surveillance behaviors.

Factors such as older age, English linguistic acculturation, and physician recommendations were positively associated with higher rates of SSE and TCE, suggesting that targeted interventions could improve skin cancer surveillance in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer surveillance behaviors among US Hispanic adults. Coups, EJ., Stapleton, JL., Hudson, SV., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer prevention behaviors, beliefs, distress, and worry among hispanics in Florida and Puerto Rico. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of precision prevention materials incorporating MC1R genetic risk to improve skin cancer prevention activities among Hispanics. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing Melanoma Screening Among Hispanic/Latino Americans: A Community-Based Educational Intervention. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening Rates in Hispanic/Latinx Populations: A Scoping Review. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer awareness in suburban employees: a Hispanic perspective. [2022]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-Monitoring App Preferences for Sun Protection: Discrete Choice Experiment Survey Analysis. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer surveillance behaviors among US Hispanic adults. [2021]