title: Skin cancer education and early detection at the beach: a randomized trial of dermatologist examination and biometric feedback.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are limited data on the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention education and early detection programs at beaches.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluate 4 strategies for addressing skin cancer prevention in beach settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study at 4 beaches included 4 intervention conditions: (1) education only; (2) education plus biometric feedback; (3) education plus dermatologist skin examination; or (4) education plus biometric feedback and dermatologist skin examination. Outcomes included sun protection behaviors, sunburns, and skin self-examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in hat wearing, sunscreen use, and a reduction in sunburns in the education plus biometric feedback group (odds ratio = 1.97, 1.94, and 1.07, respectively), and greater improvements in knowing what to look for in skin-self examinations (odds ratio = 1.13); there were no differences in frequency of self-examinations. Skin examinations plus biometric feedback led to greater reductions in sunburns. The dermatologist examinations identified atypical moles in 28% of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inclusion of only one beach per condition, use of self-report data, and a limited intervention period are limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education and biometric feedback may be more effective than education alone for impacting sun protective attitudes and behaviors in beachgoing, high-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. Karen_M_Emmons@dfci.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Emmons
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puleo
authors.forename: Sanghamitra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Savadatti
authors.forename: Stephanie W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gorham
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Werchniak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001699:Biometry; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011322:Primary Prevention; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents