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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Apr;100(4):735-41.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.155705. Epub 2010 Feb 18.

A randomized trial of tailored skin cancer prevention messages for adults: Project SCAPE

Karen Glanz  1 , Elinor R Schoenfeld, Alana Steffen
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized trial of tailored skin cancer prevention messages for adults: Project SCAPE

Karen Glanz et al. Am J Public Health. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of a mailed, tailored intervention on skin cancer prevention and skin self-examination behaviors of adults at moderate and high risk for skin cancer.

Methods: Adults at moderate and high risk for skin cancer were recruited in primary health care settings in Honolulu, HI, and Long Island, NY. After completing a baseline survey, participants were randomized to 2 groups. The treatment group received tailored materials, including personalized risk feedback, and the control group received general educational materials. Multivariate analyses compared sun protection and skin self-examination between groups, controlling for location, risk level, gender, and age.

Results: A total of 596 adults completed the trial. The tailored materials had a significant effect on overall sun-protection habits, the use of hats, the use of sunglasses, and the recency of skin self-examination. Some effects were moderated by location and risk level.

Conclusions: Tailored communications including personalized risk feedback can improve sun-protection behaviors and skin self-examination among adults at increased risk for skin cancer. These convenient, low-cost interventions can be implemented in a variety of settings and should be tested further to assess their long-term effectiveness.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Number of participants at successive stages of trial: Project SCAPE; Honolulu, HI, and Long Island, NY; 2000 and 2001. Note. BRAT = Brief Skin Cancer Risk Assessment Tool.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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