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Towards skin cancer prevention and early detection: evolution of skin cancer awareness campaigns in Australia.

ABSTRACT: Since the 1980s, Australia's mass-media campaigns promoting skin cancer awareness, namely skin cancer-preventative behaviors and early detection, have targeted the general community as well as high-risk groups, including outdoor workers, schoolchildren and youths. During that time, campaigns have evolved in tone and method of delivery. Their messages are today accompanied by policies, supportive environments such as shade and access to quality sun-protection products governed by national standards. Early detection of skin cancer has been the other aim of these campaigns, and recent downturns in incidence rates, especially in the young, and the shift to mostly thin melanomas at diagnosis in Australia, may partly reflect some campaign success. However, sustained efforts are required for long-lasting skin cancer control.

SUBMITTER: Iannacone MR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6094686 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Towards skin cancer prevention and early detection: evolution of skin cancer awareness campaigns in Australia.

Iannacone Michelle R MR Green Adèle C AC

Melanoma management 20140801 1

Since the 1980s, Australia's mass-media campaigns promoting skin cancer awareness, namely skin cancer-preventative behaviors and early detection, have targeted the general community as well as high-risk groups, including outdoor workers, schoolchildren and youths. During that time, campaigns have evolved in tone and method of delivery. Their messages are today accompanied by policies, supportive environments such as shade and access to quality sun-protection products governed by national standar ...[more]

PMID: 30190812

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Project description:BackgroundDespite years of public education, sun-related behaviours are difficult to change and a recent survey showed low levels of sun protection. In this study we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an opportunistic skin cancer prevention intervention in general practice.MethodsWe used a controlled pre-and-post intervention design. Participants (n = 100) were recruited sequentially from patients attending two general practices in Sydney, Australia, from November to December 2010. Participants in the intervention practice (n = 50) received general practitioner delivered sun protection advice after completing a skin cancer risk assessment tool, and a sun protection pamphlet, in addition to routine care, at a single attendance. The skin cancer risk assessment tool provided three levels of risk. The general practitioner (GP) reinforced the level of risk and discussed sun protection. Participants in the control practice (n = 50) received routine care. We measured feasibility by patients' and GPs' participation in the intervention and time taken, and acceptability by intervention participants and GPs ratings of the intervention. We measured reported sun-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour between the two groups at 1 and 13 months.ResultsThe intervention was found to be feasible within existing primary care team arrangements. Participation at baseline was 81% (108/134), and repeated participation was 88% (88/100) at 1 month and 70% (70/100) at 13 months. Participants and practitioners found the intervention acceptable. At 1 month, sun-related knowledge had increased in both patient groups, with a greater increase in the intervention group (adjusted mean difference 0.48, p = 0.034). There were no differences between groups in sun-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour at 13 months.ConclusionsA brief opportunistic skin cancer prevention intervention in general practice is feasible and acceptable. Further research in this setting with a more intensive intervention would be justified.

Project description:BackgroundIn the emerging era of digitalization and electronic health, skin cancer-related apps represent useful tools to support dermatologic consultation and examination. Yet, little is known about how patients perceive the value of such apps.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate patient attitudes and their awareness toward skin cancer-related apps.MethodsA cross-sectional study including 200 patients from the oncological outpatient unit was conducted at the University Hospital (LMU Munich, Germany) between September and December 2018. Patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire on the popularity and usefulness of health-related and skin cancer-related apps. A descriptive analysis was performed with the expression of categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. For continuous variables, the median and range were indicated. Contingency tables and chi-square tests were performed to investigate associations between sociodemographic data and selected items of the questionnaire.ResultsA total of 98.9% (195/197) of patients had never used skin cancer-related apps or could not remember. In 49.7% (93/187) of cases, patients were unsure about the usefulness of skin cancer apps, whereas 42.6% (78/183) thought that skin cancer apps could supplement or support the professional skin examination performed by a physician. However, 47.9% (90/188) were interested in acquiring more information by their dermatologists about skin cancer apps. Young age (P=.002), male gender (P=.02), a previous history of melanoma (P=.004), and higher educational level (P=.002) were significantly associated with a positive attitude. Nevertheless, 55.9% (105/188) preferred a printed patient brochure on skin cancer to downloading and using an app.ConclusionsThe experience and knowledge of skin cancer-related apps was surprisingly low in this population, although there was a high general interest in more information about such apps. Printed patient brochures were the preferred information source.

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Towards skin cancer prevention and early detection: evolution of skin cancer awareness campaigns in Australia.

Publications

Towards skin cancer prevention and early detection: evolution of skin cancer awareness campaigns in Australia.

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