The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38929

Karen Glanz¹, Elinor Schoenfeld², Dorothy Shigaki¹, and Diana Evensen¹. (1) Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed C-105, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808/441-8188, kglanz@hawaii.edu, (2) Preventive Medicine, SUNY at Stony Brook, Medical Sciences Building, Stony Brook, NY 53122

Project SCAPE (Skin Cancer Awareness, Prevention, and Education) aimed to evaluate the impact of a mailed, tailored intervention, on the skin cancer prevention and skin self-examination behaviors of high-risk and moderate-risk adults. The study is unique in that it also sought to evaluate the process and impact of tailored skin cancer prevention and early detection interventions on diverse ethnic groups and in two regions that differ in geography and climate. Participants were recruited in primary health care settings and screened for their level of risk for skin cancer. Moderate- and high-risk persons were invited to participate in the trial. After completing a baseline survey, they were randomized to receive tailored materials, including personalized risk feedback, or to a control group that received general educational materials. A total of 596 adults from Hawaii and New York completed the trial. Analyses were completed using multivariate analyses, comparing sun protection and skin self-examination, while controlling for location, risk level, gender, ethnicity and age. The tailored materials had a significant impact on overall sun protection habits, the use of shirts, shade, and sunglasses, and recency of skin self-examination. There was a positive trend toward sun avoidance and hat use. Sunscreen application was more thorough in the treatment group, but no increase in sunscreen use was attributed to the intervention. Sub-group analyses and implications of the findings will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will describe the major risk factors for skin cancer.
• Participants will be able to report the major findings from the Project SCAPE evaluation of tailored skin cancer prevention materials.

Keywords: Communication Technology, Cancer Prevention

Related Web page: www.crch.org/sbsp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: inap
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.