Health Education Campaign for Melanoma

Overseen By Elizabeth Stoos

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

75000 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how well a health educational campaign works in increasing early detection of melanoma in Oregon. The health educational campaign may provide information to help people learn about the early signs of melanoma. Increased education in Oregon may decrease the number of people who die from melanoma and increase the number of melanomas that are identified at an earlier stage.

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 Health Education Campaign for Melanoma treatment?

Research shows that educational campaigns can lead to earlier detection of melanoma, as seen in a public education program that increased the treatment of thin melanomas with a good prognosis. Additionally, educating patients about skin cancer risks and self-examination improves early diagnosis and survival rates. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Health Education Campaign for Melanoma safe for participants?

The research on educational interventions for melanoma, such as school-based programs and multimedia tools, focuses on increasing knowledge and promoting protective behaviors without indicating any safety concerns for participants. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How does the Health Education Campaign for Melanoma differ from other treatments for melanoma?

The Health Education Campaign for Melanoma is unique because it focuses on educating people, especially high school students, about sun safety and early detection of melanoma, rather than using medication or medical procedures. This approach aims to prevent melanoma by changing behaviors and increasing awareness, which is different from traditional treatments that focus on treating the disease after it develops. ^{3 6 9 10 11}

Research Team

Sancy A. Leachman, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is open to everyone in Oregon, including individuals interested in melanoma awareness, patients with melanoma, skin care professionals, and healthcare providers. The goal is to educate these groups on early signs of melanoma.

Inclusion Criteria

I am interested in melanoma awareness and education.

Exclusion Criteria

No one will be intentionally excluded

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Educational Campaign

Participants view digital media strategies and receive educational materials on melanoma. Surveys are completed to assess knowledge and confidence.

5 years

Ongoing digital engagement and educational sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in melanoma literacy and early detection rates, as well as cost and incidence data collection.

5 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Educational Intervention
• Health Education
• Media Campaign
• Survey Administration

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of a health education campaign aimed at increasing early detection of melanoma through educational materials, media campaigns, and surveys.

Participant Groups

Group I: Prevention (health educational campaign) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

MEDIA CAMPAIGN: Participants view digital media strategies. PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS: Primary care providers and professionals who see skin and potential melanomas receive online based curriculum on melanoma. Participants also complete a survey to assess knowledge and confidence before and after receiving the curriculum. MELANOMA COMMUNITY REGISTRY VOLUNTEERS: Melanoma Community Registry volunteers in Oregon receive educational and training materials on melanoma. Participants also complete a survey before and after receiving educational material. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: High school students receive an educational lecture over 1 hour on sun-safety and early detection of melanoma practices. Participants also complete a survey before and after the educational lecture.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

239

Recruited

2,089,000+

Oregon Health and Science University

Collaborator

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Melanoma Research Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

75,100+

Findings from Research

A survey of 100 Dutch melanoma patients revealed significant gaps in disease-specific knowledge, with many unable to accurately identify key tumor characteristics, highlighting the need for improved patient education.

The majority of patients (77%) found YouTube videos on self-inspection valuable, suggesting that e-Health resources could effectively supplement traditional information methods, alongside oral communication from healthcare providers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Melanoma patients' disease-specific knowledge, information preference, and appreciation of educational YouTube videos for self-inspection. Damude, S., Hoekstra-Weebers, JEHM., van Leeuwen, BL., et al.[2017]

The American Academy of Dermatology has provided free skin cancer screenings to over 600,000 Americans and has reached millions with prevention messages, highlighting a significant effort to control melanoma in the U.S.

The chapter emphasizes the need for integrated strategies in prevention, education, and screening to effectively address the rising rates of melanoma incidence and mortality globally.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Melanoma control in the United States: current status. Koh, HK., Geller, AC.[2019]

A study involving 150 middle school students in South Los Angeles showed that many students, particularly Latino youth, lacked knowledge about skin cancer risks and sun safety before educational intervention, but after receiving education, 94% expressed intent to use sunscreen in the future.

Post-intervention, 80% of students reported some sunscreen use, with 24% of Latino students using it daily, highlighting the effectiveness of education in improving sun safety practices, although cost remains a barrier for consistent use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermatologic health literacy in underserved communities: a case report of south Los Angeles middle schools. Chapman, LW., Ochoa, A., Tenconi, F., et al.[2022]

Early detection of melanoma significantly improves patient survival rates, highlighting the importance of educating patients on recognizing abnormal skin lesions.

Patient education should encompass proper skin examination techniques, UV protection, the impact of medications on cancer risk, and dietary strategies for wellness, starting from the time of diagnosis and involving the entire healthcare team to ensure understanding and adherence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient education: recommendations regarding sunscreens, drugs, and diet. Russell, LC., Murray, J.[2019]

The public education campaign successfully increased early self-recognition and treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma, leading to a significant rise in the percentage of thin melanomas, which have a better prognosis.

As a result of the campaign, there was a notable decrease in the proportion of thick melanomas, which are associated with poorer outcomes, indicating improved early detection and intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experience of a public education programme on early detection of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Doherty, VR., MacKie, RM.[2019]

A skin cancer education program designed by medical students effectively increased awareness among high school students about the risks of sun exposure, particularly for all skin types, with 88% of participants planning to make actionable behavioral changes after the session.

The program successfully adapted to COVID-19 challenges and highlighted the importance of inclusive educational materials in promoting sun-safe behaviors to prevent skin cancer in youth.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating How a School-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Program Can Change Behavior Among North Carolina Highschoolers. Friday, S., Salisbury, K., Snyder, S., et al.[2023]

The Skinsafe multimedia intervention significantly improved melanoma knowledge among patients, with scores increasing from 3.03 in the control group to 3.71 in the intervention group after 6 months (P < 0.001).

Patients who received the Skinsafe intervention reported more protective skin behaviors and were more likely to check their moles, indicating that the program effectively encouraged proactive skin health practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a multimedia intervention "Skinsafe" on patients' knowledge and protective behaviors. Glazebrook, C., Garrud, P., Avery, A., et al.[2006]

A study involving 217 patients with newly diagnosed melanoma found that watching an educational videotape significantly improved their knowledge about the disease more than a traditional clinic visit.

While the videotape was better at increasing knowledge, the clinic visit was more effective at reducing anxiety and distress levels, suggesting that both methods have unique benefits for patient education and emotional support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a professionally produced videotape on education and anxiety/distress levels for patients with newly diagnosed melanoma: a randomized, prospective clinical trial. Orringer, JS., Fendrick, AM., Trask, PC., et al.[2015]

Malignant melanoma is increasingly common, with a 7% annual rise in incidence, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and detection strategies.

A new public education program targeting schools, pediatricians, nurses, and state agencies aims to educate at-risk populations about melanoma and skin cancer, potentially improving early detection and prevention efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A plan to promote the prevention and early detection of melanoma. Harris, J.[2016]

A systematic review of 25 studies involving 22,683 high school students found that educational programs on melanoma prevention significantly increased students' knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes towards sun safety and skin exams.

The review highlights the importance of using active learning strategies in educational curricula to effectively promote melanoma prevention and early detection among adolescents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based High School Melanoma Prevention Curricula. Calco, GN., Orfaly, VE., Haag, CK., et al.[2023]

Melanoma is projected to be a major cancer concern in the 21st century, highlighting the need for effective health education to improve outcomes.

Regular skin self-examinations and public awareness campaigns, such as Melanoma Monday, are crucial for early detection and reducing the incidence and mortality rates associated with melanoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin self-examination for melanoma--another golden rule. Howell, JB.[2019]

References

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

Melanoma patients' disease-specific knowledge, information preference, and appreciation of educational YouTube videos for self-inspection. [2017]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Melanoma control in the United States: current status. [2019]

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

Dermatologic health literacy in underserved communities: a case report of south Los Angeles middle schools. [2022]

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

Patient education: recommendations regarding sunscreens, drugs, and diet. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experience of a public education programme on early detection of cutaneous malignant melanoma. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating How a School-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Program Can Change Behavior Among North Carolina Highschoolers. [2023]

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

Impact of a multimedia intervention "Skinsafe" on patients' knowledge and protective behaviors. [2006]

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

The effects of a professionally produced videotape on education and anxiety/distress levels for patients with newly diagnosed melanoma: a randomized, prospective clinical trial. [2015]

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

A plan to promote the prevention and early detection of melanoma. [2016]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based High School Melanoma Prevention Curricula. [2023]

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

Skin self-examination for melanoma--another golden rule. [2019]