Facebook Intervention for Skin Cancer

Not currently 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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how Facebook groups can assist people with melanoma and their families in enhancing their skin health routines. Participants will join either a group focused on skin cancer or one focused on healthy lifestyles to determine if these groups aid in skin exams and sun protection. This trial suits individuals diagnosed with stage 0-3 melanoma in the last five years, who completed treatment over three months ago, and have at least one family member participating. Participants must be able to use Facebook and must not have another cancer diagnosis. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research on social media's role in health improvement.

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 prior data suggests that these Facebook interventions are safe for participants?

Research shows that the Young Melanoma Family Facebook group and the Healthy Lifestyle Facebook group help people improve their skin cancer prevention habits. These groups share information and encourage healthy behaviors through Facebook.

Studies have found no physical side effects, as these groups focus on education and social interaction. Participants read and engage with posts about preventing skin cancer and making healthy lifestyle choices. Engaging with Facebook content is generally considered very safe.

For those considering joining, the main goal is to learn and adopt new habits, not to take any medication or undergo treatments with physical risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the power of social media in promoting healthier habits to combat skin cancer. Unlike traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or topical therapies, this approach uses Facebook groups to encourage lifestyle changes and provide support. The Young Melanoma Family Facebook Group targets families affected by melanoma, fostering a community for sharing experiences and advice. Meanwhile, the Healthy Lifestyle Facebook Group focuses on promoting overall well-being, which can contribute to better skin health. This trial could reveal new ways to engage people in preventative care through platforms they already use daily.

What evidence suggests that this trial's Facebook interventions could be effective for improving skin examinations in melanoma patients and their families?

In this trial, participants will join one of two Facebook intervention groups. Studies have shown that the Young Melanoma Family Facebook program, which participants in one arm will join, can improve activities that prevent skin cancer. Research indicates that this program may encourage young melanoma survivors and their families to check their skin more frequently and use better sun protection. Initial findings suggest it could effectively promote regular skin checks and safer sun habits.

Participants in the other arm will join the Healthy Lifestyle Facebook program, which aims to encourage overall healthy habits, potentially supporting better skin health. Evidence suggests this approach helps promote healthier lifestyle choices, which might lead to improved skin check practices. This trial studies both programs to determine their effectiveness in helping participants remain vigilant about their skin health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sharon L Manne, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 have not had a full skin check in the past 3 years, have done a skin self-check less than three times in the past year, or have a low score for sun protection habits.

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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 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 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 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]

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 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]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03677739

Young Melanoma Family Facebook Intervention or Healthy ... This trial studies how well Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention or Healthy Lifestyle Facebook intervention works in improving skin examination in ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36692933/

Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma ... The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of the Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention versus the Melanoma Family Healthy Lifestyle ...

3. cancer.gov cancer.gov/research/participate/clinical-trials-search/v?id=NCI-2018-01741

Young Melanoma Family Facebook Intervention or Healthy ... This trial studies how well Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention or Healthy Lifestyle Facebook intervention works in improving skin examination

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1929074823006285

Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma ... The primary aim is to examine the efficacy of the Young Melanoma Family Facebook intervention versus a Melanoma Family Healthy Lifestyle Facebook intervention ...

5. derma.jmir.org derma.jmir.org/2018/2/e3/

Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma Patients ... Conclusions: Our family-focused Facebook intervention showed promise as a potentially feasible and efficacious method to increase sun ...