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Melanoma Perception in People of Color: A Targeted Educational Intervention

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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Although melanoma is more common in non-Hispanic Whites, ethnic minorities face a greater risk of melanoma-related mortality, which may be partially attributed to presentation at atypical sites and a lack of awareness.

Objective

Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of a melanoma educational intervention targeted towards people of color.

Design

Participants received one of two scripted melanoma educational interventions in the summer of 2015. They completed surveys before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 2 months post-intervention.

Setting

Dermatology clinic at an academic hospital.

Participants

A consecutive sample of 100 participants who self-identified as African American, Asian, or Hispanic were recruited following their dermatology visit. In total, 70 participants completed the 2-month follow-up questionnaire.

Intervention

The comparison intervention group received an educational intervention using a conventional pamphlet on the ‘ABCDEs’ (Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter, Evolution) of melanoma. The targeted intervention group received a modified pamphlet that included a skin of color section, the nomenclature “melanoma skin cancer”, and an image of an individual performing a skin self-examination with the help of a friend.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Melanoma knowledge, perceived risk for developing melanoma, and skin self-examination practices were assessed through self-reported questionnaires.

Results

Among the 100 participants, 78% self-identified as African American, 11% as Asian, and 11% as Hispanic. Both groups experienced a similar increase in melanoma knowledge that was retained at 2 months. Perceived personal risk for developing melanoma increased more in the targeted intervention group immediately post-intervention (p = 0.015), but this difference no longer existed between the groups at the 2-month follow-up. The targeted intervention group also demonstrated a greater increase in skin self-examinations (p = 0.048) and knowledge of warning signs to look for when examining the skin (p = 0.002) at the 2-month follow-up.

Conclusions and Relevance

The educational intervention targeted towards people of color resulted in increased skin self-examinations. Educational material that is relevant to ethnic minorities may better promote early detection and help to decrease the disparity in melanoma-related morality rates.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02437305.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to Dennis West, Tinatin Kiguradze, and Kimberly Sable for their regulatory support.

Author Contributions

Dr. Kundu had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Study Concept and Design

Chao, Kundu. Acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data: Chao, Patterson, Rademaker, Liu, Kundu. Drafting of the manuscript: Chao, Rademaker. Critical revision of the manuscript for intellectual content: Chao, Patterson, Rademaker, Kundu. Statistical analysis: Rademaker, Liu. Obtained funding: Not applicable. Administrative, technical, or material support: Chao, Patterson, Rademaker, Liu, Kundu. Study supervision: Kundu.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St, Ste 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Lucy X. Chao, Stavonnie S. L. Patterson & Roopal V. Kundu

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Alfred W. Rademaker & Dachao Liu

Authors
  1. Lucy X. Chao
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  2. Stavonnie S. L. Patterson
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  3. Alfred W. Rademaker
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  4. Dachao Liu
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  5. Roopal V. Kundu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roopal V. Kundu.

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Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

Lucy X. Chao, Stavonnie S.L. Patterson, Alfred W. Rademaker, Dachao Liu, and Roopal V. Kundu have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Chao, L.X., Patterson, S.S.L., Rademaker, A.W. et al. Melanoma Perception in People of Color: A Targeted Educational Intervention. Am J Clin Dermatol 18, 419–427 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-016-0244-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-016-0244-y

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