title: Skin surveillance intentions among family members of patients with melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  First-degree relatives of individuals diagnosed with melanoma are at increased disease risk. However, many first-degree relatives do not receive a periodic total cutaneous examination from a health care provider or engage in regular skin self-examination. The goal of this study was to identify correlates of total cutaneous examination and skin self-examination intentions among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients, thus providing insight on factors that should be targeted in future intervention research.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 545 first-degree relatives of melanoma patients at increased disease risk due to their risk factor profile and lack of skin surveillance behaviors. Participants completed a telephone survey regarding their total cutaneous examination and skin self-examination intentions and potential correlates, including demographics, medical factors, psychological factors, knowledge, and social influence factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intentions to receive a total cutaneous examination were higher among first-degree relatives with more education, those perceiving higher benefits and lower barriers to an examination, and those reporting greater physician and family support. Intentions to receive a skin self-examination were higher among those with higher benefits and lower barriers to self-examination, and higher family support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions to promote skin surveillance behaviors among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients should highlight the benefits of early detection of melanoma, address barriers to receipt of total cutaneous examination and engagement in skin self-examination, and promote support from physicians and family members.
authors.affiliation: The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. coupsej@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Elliot J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Coups
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Manne
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ming
authors.forename: Carolyn J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Heckman
authors.forename: Stuart R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lessin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
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