Sunscreen Dispenser Education for Skin Cancer Prevention

Overseen By Jessica Davine, MPH, MSW

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Disqualifiers: Not local youth, Non-English speaker

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 explores how free sunscreen dispensers and educational materials can boost sun protection habits among teens. It tests whether enhanced signage and a social media push by teen ambassadors increase sunscreen use compared to just having the dispensers and basic signs. The study aims to determine not only if more teens use sunscreen but also if their sun safety knowledge and attitudes improve. Teens aged 12-20 living in Boston, Cambridge, or certain parts of Maine who can complete an English survey are suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers teens a unique opportunity to contribute to important research on improving sun safety in their communities.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely that you would need to stop, as the study focuses on sunscreen use and education.

What prior data suggests that these sunscreen dispensers and educational interventions are safe for community use?

Research shows that free sunscreen dispensers in public places are safe. Studies have found that these dispensers increase awareness of sun safety. For instance, one study found that nearly everyone who used the dispensers felt more informed about sun safety. Another study showed that the availability of sunscreen dispensers encouraged more frequent application.

No reports of serious side effects have emerged from using sunscreen from these dispensers. The sunscreen provided is similar to store-bought options and is generally well-tolerated. Experts recommend applying sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every two hours to help prevent skin cancer. Overall, free sunscreen dispensers are considered safe and may help protect against harmful sun exposure. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores new ways to encourage sun protection among teens to prevent skin cancer. Unlike typical methods that rely solely on providing sunscreen, this trial adds a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors to boost engagement. By involving teens directly and using platforms they frequent, the approach aims to create a more relatable and effective message. Additionally, the use of "teen enhanced" signage at sunscreen dispensers makes the sun safety message more appealing and accessible. This innovative combination of peer influence and targeted communication is what sets this trial apart from standard sunscreen distribution methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for skin cancer prevention?

Research has shown that education programs play a crucial role in improving sun protection behaviors. Studies have found that providing free sunscreen dispensers in public places increases sunscreen use. In this trial, one group will receive access to dispensers, flyers, enhanced signage, and a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors to boost sunscreen use. Another group will receive access to dispensers, flyers, and standard signage. One study found that teenagers gained more knowledge about sun protection and recognized its importance after participating in educational programs. The combination of dispensers and educational tools like flyers and social media posts can effectively increase sunscreen use. Overall, these efforts hold promise for encouraging sun-safe habits and preventing skin cancer. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alan Geller, MPH, RN

Principal Investigator

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Boston or Maine youths aged 12-18 who can complete a survey in English. It's not open to those outside this age group, non-residents of these areas, or individuals unable to understand and fill out an English-language survey.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to complete a survey in English

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot complete a survey in English.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of DFS+ and DFS interventions at parks and beaches, including installation and maintenance of sunscreen dispensers, distribution of flyers, and social media engagement by teen ambassadors

1 week

Continuous observation at parks and beaches

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sun protection practices and dispenser utilization through surveys and observations

1 day

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• DFS+

Trial Overview

The study tests if adding flyers, enhanced signage, and social media outreach by teen ambassadors increases the use of free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and parks among teenagers compared to just having dispensers with standard information.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dispensers, Flyers, Enhanced Signage + a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The DFS+ experimental group is designed to increase utilization of free sunscreen dispensers, applying and reapplying sunscreen, and motivating use of other forms of sun protection by teens in 8 Boston parks and 2 Maine beaches. IMPACT Melanoma will install and maintain free sunscreen dispensers at the study sites. Flyers will be posted at locations at the park/beach to inform people of the availability of free sunscreen and the location of the dispenser. 'Teen enhanced' signage will be present on the dispenser in the intervention parks/beaches. Teen ambassadors will share 3-5 posts to their social media platform over the course of 1 week encouraging sun protection practices and use of the free sunscreen dispenser (when the intervention is occurring at the study site).

Group II: Dispensers, Flyers, Signage Active Control 1 Intervention

The DFS control group includes dispensers, flyers, and standard signage at 8 Boston parks and 2 Maine beaches. IMPACT Melanoma will install and maintain free sunscreen dispensers at the study sites. Flyers will be posted at locations at the park/beach to inform people of the availability of free sunscreen and the location of the dispenser. Standard signage will be present on the dispenser in the control parks/beaches.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Lead Sponsor

Trials

283

Recruited

17,030,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

IMPACT Melanoma

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,200+

Klein Buendel

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A new patient counseling approach for sun protection was developed specifically for outdoor workers diagnosed with skin conditions related to UV exposure, based on qualitative interviews and expert reviews.

The counseling program includes customizable modules that address individual patient needs, emphasizing interactive and educational components to improve sun protection behaviors among outdoor workers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Secondary prevention of UV-induced skin cancer: development and pilot testing of an educational patient counseling approach for individual sun protection as standard procedure of patient care. Ludewig, M., Rocholl, M., John, SM., et al.[2022]

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]

Citations

1.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-skin-neoplasms-5-2023-7004f

Sunscreen Dispenser Education for Skin Cancer Prevention

Education programs, which are a key part of skin cancer prevention strategies, have been shown to be effective in improving sun protection habits. This suggests ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11868472/

A prospective study analyzing the use of free public ...

The findings of this study indicate that installing sunscreen dispensers in public spaces may increase the frequency of sunscreen application.

3.

ctv.veeva.com

ctv.veeva.com/study/impact-of-sunscreen-dispensers-in-parks-visited-by-teenagers

Impact of Sunscreen Dispensers in Parks Visited by Teenagers

This study will evaluate the use of publicly available free sunscreen dispensers at Maine beaches and Boston and Cambridge parks.

4.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/390342929_Multi-Institutional_Study_Evaluating_the_Efficacy_of_SPOTS_Sun_Protection_Outreach_Teaching_by_Students_a_Skin_Cancer_Prevention_Educational_Program_for_Adolescents

Multi-Institutional Study Evaluating the Efficacy of SPOTS ...

Notably, there was a 34.3%, 107.5%, and 27.1% relative improvement in the percentage of students' sunscreen protection factor knowledge, belief ...

5.

jaad.org

jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)31012-4/pdf

National trends in free public sunscreen dispensers

Our observations highlight the increasing prominence of free sunscreen dispensers and discuss their potential utility in primary skin cancer prevention. We ...

6.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/395384062_Free_Sunscreen_Dispensers_on_a_University_Campus_A_Pilot_Study_of_Awareness_and_Use

Free Sunscreen Dispensers on a University Campus

Use was generally infrequent, but nearly all users (91.3%) reported increased awareness of sun safety, and 41.3% endorsed greater vigilance ...

7.

medicine.yale.edu

medicine.yale.edu/news-article/preventing-skin-cancer-with-free-sunscreen-and-community-outreach/

Preventing Skin Cancer with Free Sunscreen and Community ...

Experts recommend applying sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every two hours to prevent skin cancer caused by chronic sun exposure.

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12229247/

Understanding the impact of community-based sun safety ...

This study examines the impact of a community-based, multi-component intervention at a community college on the Texas Gulf Coast.