Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Concurrent cancer, Physician clearance, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

1160 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer treatment?

Research shows that internet and social media interventions can effectively change health behaviors, such as increasing sun safety and reducing UV exposure, which are important for preventing skin cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer safe for humans?

The research articles do not provide specific safety data for the Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer, but they suggest that similar interventions, like web-based and telehealth programs, are generally focused on education and prevention, which are typically safe. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How does the Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer differ from other treatments?

The Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer is unique because it uses social media to deliver a behavioral intervention aimed at reducing skin cancer risk, particularly by challenging body image perceptions related to indoor tanning. This approach leverages the secret group feature on Facebook to engage users in their usual social media environment, making it different from traditional in-person or web-based interventions. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how well Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention or Healthy Lifestyle Facebook intervention works in improving skin examination in participants with melanoma and their families. Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention or Healthy Lifestyle Facebook intervention may help improve total cutaneous examinations, skin self-examinations, and sun protection among first degree relatives of young onset participants and the participants themselves.

Research Team

Sharon L Manne, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for melanoma patients diagnosed within the last 5 years, aged 18-39, who've completed treatment at least 3 months ago. They must have internet access, a Facebook account, and be able to understand English. Their family members (aged 18-80) without personal melanoma history can join if they haven't had thorough skin exams recently or often do self-exams or use sun protection.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient has at least one family member who consents

I was diagnosed with melanoma up to stage 3 within the last 5 years.

You do not have a history of melanoma.

Exclusion Criteria

Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (Thomas, et. al., 1992): This 7-item scale will be used to screen out individuals who will need to consult a physician for medical clearance before engaging in physical activity. If a participant checks off any of the items, the investigators will ask for a physician clearance before consenting to study

Timeline

Phase I: Content Refinement and Usability Testing

Researchers refine content for the Facebook intervention condition and conduct usability testing.

Not specified

Phase II: Intervention

Participants are randomized to join either a Young Melanoma Family Facebook Group or a Healthy Lifestyle Facebook Group and view post messages for 12 weeks.

12 weeks

Phase III: Dissemination Planning

Planning for the dissemination of the intervention results.

Not specified

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as total cutaneous exams, skin self-exams, and sun protection habits.

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Healthy Lifestyle Facebook Intervention
• Young Melanoma Family Facebook Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests two Facebook-based interventions: one focused on young melanoma families and another on healthy lifestyles. The goal is to see if these online programs increase skin examinations by patients and their relatives as well as improve their sun protection habits.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm 2 Healthy Lifestyle Facebook focusing on healthy lifestyle Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants join a secret Healthy Lifestyle Facebook Group and view post messages focusing on healthy lifestyle for 12 weeks.

Group II: Arm 1 Young melanoma Family Facebook focusing on skin cancer Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants join a secret Young melanoma Family Facebook Group and view post messages focusing on skin cancer for 12 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

A web-based family communication intervention significantly improved melanoma prevention behaviors, such as skin self-examination and sun protection, among melanoma survivors compared to those who did not receive the intervention.

The study suggests that web-based interventions can effectively promote healthier behaviors in cancer survivors, highlighting their potential for broader application in supporting families dealing with cancer risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of web-based intervention on risk reduction behaviors in melanoma survivors. Bowen, DJ., Burke, W., Hay, JL., et al.[2023]

A pilot trial involving 66 young adult tanners showed that a dissonance-based social media intervention promoting sun safety was highly feasible and acceptable, with 100% retention and high participation rates in content creation.

Participants in the Healthy Skin group reported significant decreases in motivation to tan and increases in motivation to use sunscreen and protective clothing, indicating the intervention's potential effectiveness in changing sun safety behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Trial of a Dissonance-Based Sun Safety Intervention for Young Adult Tanners. Pagoto, SL., Waring, ME., Groshon, LC., et al.[2023]

A family-focused telehealth intervention for children at familial risk of melanoma was successfully delivered and accepted by both parents and children, indicating its feasibility for future use.

The intervention led to improved sun protection behaviors in children and a reduction in their UVR exposure, highlighting its potential effectiveness in preventing melanoma risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot study of a telehealth family-focused melanoma preventive intervention for children with a family history of melanoma. Wu, YP., Boucher, K., Hu, N., et al.[2023]

The UV4.me Internet intervention significantly reduced UV exposure and increased skin protection behaviors among young adults aged 18-25, with notable improvements observed at both 3 and 12 weeks after the intervention compared to a control group.

This study is the first randomized controlled trial demonstrating the effectiveness of an online program in modifying skin cancer risk behaviors, highlighting its potential as a scalable public health strategy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an Intervention to Alter Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors in Young Adults. Heckman, CJ., Darlow, SD., Ritterband, LM., et al.[2018]

The study successfully recruited 67% of eligible students aged 13-15 years, indicating a feasible approach to implementing a sun protection intervention in schools, although many adolescents did not perceive sun protection as relevant to their age or location.

Objective measurements showed that while melanin levels increased and erythema (skin redness) decreased, the intervention's impact on changing sun protection behaviors was limited, highlighting a challenge in engaging adolescents in sun safety practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sun protection education for adolescents: a feasibility study of a wait-list controlled trial of an intervention involving a presentation, action planning, and SMS messages and using objective measurement of sun exposure. Hubbard, G., Cherrie, J., Gray, J., et al.[2023]

A study involving 115 melanoma patients found that 94% reported having discussions about skin cancer risk with their family members, highlighting the importance of communication in prevention education.

As a result of these discussions, nearly half (46%) of the first-degree relatives increased their melanoma prevention behaviors, indicating that family conversations can effectively promote better health practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin cancer risk discussions in melanoma-affected families. Hay, J., Ostroff, J., Martin, A., et al.[2007]

The educational intervention was well-received by both parents and children, leading to a significant increase in knowledge about melanoma risk and preventive behaviors among participants.

After the intervention, children reported a higher perceived risk of melanoma and showed increased engagement in sun protective behaviors, indicating the intervention's effectiveness in promoting preventive actions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel educational intervention targeting melanoma risk and prevention knowledge among children with a familial risk for melanoma. Wu, YP., Nagelhout, E., Aspinwall, LG., et al.[2019]

The study successfully engaged 17 young women in a secret Facebook group for 4 weeks, achieving a high retention rate of 94% and demonstrating that participants were actively involved with the content, with 91% viewing posts and 35% liking them.

Participants reported lower rates of indoor tanning after the intervention compared to baseline, indicating that the Facebook group intervention may effectively reduce risky tanning behaviors and promote healthier body image perceptions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy Body Image Intervention Delivered to Young Women via Facebook Groups: Formative Study of Engagement and Acceptability. Stapleton, JL., Manne, SL., Day, AK., et al.[2020]

In a study of 249 patients at melanoma screening clinics, self-examination of skin lesions was the most common reason for attending, while only one patient reported being motivated by social media (SoMe) posts.

Although 30 patients recalled seeing health authority posts about skin cancer on SoMe, the study suggests that current SoMe strategies may not effectively reach or influence patients regarding melanoma screening.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'I saw it on Facebook!' Assessing the influence of social media on patient presentation to a melanoma screening clinic. Guckian, J., Jobling, K., Oliphant, T., et al.[2020]

References

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

Effects of web-based intervention on risk reduction behaviors in melanoma survivors. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Trial of a Dissonance-Based Sun Safety Intervention for Young Adult Tanners. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot study of a telehealth family-focused melanoma preventive intervention for children with a family history of melanoma. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an Intervention to Alter Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors in Young Adults. [2018]

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

Sun protection education for adolescents: a feasibility study of a wait-list controlled trial of an intervention involving a presentation, action planning, and SMS messages and using objective measurement of sun exposure. [2023]

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

Skin cancer risk discussions in melanoma-affected families. [2007]

7. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel educational intervention targeting melanoma risk and prevention knowledge among children with a familial risk for melanoma. [2019]

8. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy Body Image Intervention Delivered to Young Women via Facebook Groups: Formative Study of Engagement and Acceptability. [2020]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'I saw it on Facebook!' Assessing the influence of social media on patient presentation to a melanoma screening clinic. [2020]