Components of a successful intervention for monthly skin self-examination for early detection of melanoma: the "Check It Out" trial

Abstract

Background: Multicomponent Check-It-Out project interventions were found to be effective at increasing thorough skin self-examinations (TSSE). Application of this research will benefit from determining the most important interventions for promoting TSSE.

Objective: Identification of the most important Check-It-Out intervention components for promoting TSSE.

Methods: This study analyzed the responses of the 567 participants who were randomized into the skin examination intervention group and who did not report performing TSSE at their baseline interview.

Results: Watching the video, using the hand mirror, shower card, American Cancer Society brochure, sample photographs, and finding the health educator helpful were associated with performing TSSE at 2 months, 12 months, or both.

Limitations: Use of the materials within the skin group was not randomly assigned. All data were based on participant self-report.

Conclusions: As future interventions to increase TSSE are developed, the identified useful components will be important to include.

Figure 1. Helpfulness of health educator and letters

Notes: Fifty-eight percent of respondents felt the materials would not have worked the same if they were received without a health educator meeting. Sixty-seven percent of respondents received and read the follow up letters.