Effectiveness of a knowledge-based intervention for melanoma among those with ethnic skin.
BACKGROUND
Among patients with melanoma, ethnic minorities are 1.96 to 3.01 times as likely to die from melanoma as Caucasians of the same age and sex.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the effectiveness of a melanoma early detection educational intervention among those with ethnic skin.


METHODS
A consecutive convenience sample of patients received instruction on the ABCDEs of melanoma and skin self-examination. Self-report questionnaires assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were completed before, and immediately and 3 months after, the intervention.


RESULTS
Among the 71 participants, 21% reported a skin phenotype with at least sometimes burning. Knowledge that melanoma is a skin cancer and of the warning signs of melanoma significantly increased after the intervention and was retained at 3 months. The perception of being at risk to develop a melanoma significantly increased after the intervention and was retained at 3 months (P < .001). Monthly checking of the skin, especially acral sites (palms, soles, periungual), increased significantly immediately after the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
A limitation is accrual from dermatology patients, who may be more inclined to perform skin self-examination compared with the general minority population.


CONCLUSIONS
People of color benefit from specific physician recommendations explaining their risk to develop melanoma and which anatomic sites to check. Acral lentiginous melanoma among ethnic minorities tends to present in non-sun-exposed but visible areas, particularly volar and subungual sites; therefore, skin self-examination educational materials for minority populations should incorporate these anatomic sites.
Kundu
Roopal V
RV
Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. rkundu@nmff.org
Kamaria
Monique
M
Ortiz
Sara
S
West
Dennis P
DP
Rademaker
Alfred W
AW
Robinson
June K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications; D044465:White People