title: Patient follow-up after participating in a beach-based skin cancer screening program.
abstract: Many skin cancer screenings occur in non-traditional community settings, with the beach being an important setting due to beachgoers being at high risk for skin cancer. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of a skin cancer intervention in which participants (n = 312) had a full-body skin examination by a clinician and received a presumptive diagnosis (abnormal finding, no abnormal finding). Participants' pursuit of follow-up was assessed post-intervention (n = 283). Analyses examined: (1) participant's recall of screening results; and (2) whether cognitive and behavioral variables were associated with follow-up being as advised. Just 12% of participants (36/312) did not correctly recall the results of their skin examination. One-third (33%, 93/283) of participants' follow-up was classified as being not as advised (recommend follow-up not pursued, unadvised follow-up pursued). Among participants whose follow-up was not as advised, 71% (66/93) did not seek recommended care. None of the measured behavioral and cognitive variables were significantly associated with recall of screening examination results or whether follow-up was as advised. Research is needed to determine what factors are associated with follow-up being as advised and to develop messages that increase receipt of advised follow-up care.
authors: Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. mary_greaney@dfci.harvard.edu
authors: Mary L
authors: ML
authors: Greaney
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Puleo
authors: Alan C
authors: AC
authors: Geller
authors: Stephanie W
authors: SW
authors: Hu
authors: Andrew E
authors: AE
authors: Werchniak
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: DeCristofaro
authors: Karen M
authors: KM
authors: Emmons
mesh_terms: D001493:Bathing Beaches; D003071:Cognition; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control