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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a mobile app designed to help Hispanic individuals improve sun protection habits and prevent skin cancer. Participants will either use the app or receive general tips about physical activity and nutrition. The researchers aim to determine if the app encourages better sun protection behaviors over a few months. Individuals who identify as Hispanic, own a smartphone, and have risk factors for skin cancer but aren't currently protecting themselves adequately from the sun might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance sun protection strategies.

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 prior data suggests that this mobile health intervention is safe for skin cancer prevention?

Research shows that mobile health (mHealth) tools, like the one being tested for skin cancer prevention, are generally safe. This mobile and user-focused method has been applied in other health areas and is usually well-received. For example, one study found that mHealth platforms help people manage their health effectively without major safety issues.

Similar mHealth tools have promoted healthy habits in other areas with good results. These tools are designed to be easy to use and culturally relevant, which keeps users satisfied and engaged. While specific data on side effects for this exact tool is not available, overall evidence suggests that mobile health tools are generally safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the mobile health intervention for skin cancer prevention because it offers a new, tech-savvy approach to education and awareness. Unlike traditional methods like in-person consultations or pamphlets, this intervention uses a mobile-based, user-centered design that can reach people directly on their phones, making it more accessible and engaging. Specifically targeting Hispanics, this method utilizes WhatsApp to deliver timely, culturally relevant messages, potentially increasing the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention efforts within this community. By leveraging technology, this intervention could improve adherence to sun protection behaviors and regular skin checks, ultimately reducing the incidence of skin cancer.

What evidence suggests that this mobile health intervention is effective for skin cancer prevention?

Research has shown that mobile health tools can help prevent skin cancer. This trial will evaluate a mobile skin cancer intervention specifically designed for Hispanic communities, who are experiencing an increase in melanoma cases. Studies have found that digital tools for skin cancer prevention can raise awareness and encourage sunscreen use. Early results suggest these culturally tailored tools help people adopt and maintain sun protection habits. Overall, digital tools have shown potential in lowering skin cancer risks across different groups. Participants in this trial will be randomly assigned to either the mobile skin cancer intervention group or a control group receiving information on physical activity and nutrition. ^{3 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Zhaomeng Niu, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

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This study provides important insights and directions for the design of a mobile, digital skin cancer intervention to modify Hispanic individuals' sun ...

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A Mobile Health Intervention Among Hispanics

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In the past two decades, melanoma incidence among Hispanics has risen by 20%. The mortality rate of Hispanics is higher compared to Non-Hispanic whites (NHW).

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This qualitative study explored Hispanic people's perceived barriers and facilitators to skin cancer-related preventive behaviors.

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We recently completed a skin cancer precision prevention trial among Hispanic participants [24]. The intervention, provision of genetic test ...

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Aim 2: Employing a user-centered approach to develop a WhatsApp intervention to promote skin cancer risk-reduction behaviors among Hispanics and ...

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Qualitative findings suggest materials for a skin cancer prevention intervention were translated ensuring cultural relevance, thus increasing disseminability ...