Evidence-Based Communication to Increase Melanoma Knowledge and Skin Checks

Abstract

Rates of melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—have increased. Early detection can save lives and patients have a critical role to play in checking their skin. We aim to identify health communication messages that best educate the public and increase intentions towards skin checks. After viewing messages intended to increase melanoma knowledge, participants correctly identified a greater proportion (74.6% vs 70.4%) of moles (mean number 17.9 [95% CI 17.5, 18.3] vs 16.9 [95% CI 16.6, 17.3], P < .001, ηp2 = .03) and had knowledge of more melanoma warning signs (5.8 [95% CI 5.7, 5.8] vs 5.6 [95% CI 5.5, 5.7], P = .01, ηp2 = .02). After viewing messages intended to increase self confidence in checking their skin accurately, they were also more likely to report greater intentions to do a skin check on a scale of 1-5 (3.8 [95% CI 3.7, 3.9] vs 3.6 [95% CI 3.4, 3.7], P = .005, ηp2 = .02). Online melanoma messages aimed at increasing both melanoma knowledge and skin-check confidence may be most effective in improving the accuracy of skin self-exams and intentions to do them.