title: Effects of web-based intervention on risk reduction behaviors in melanoma survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, and survivors of melanoma carry increased risk of additional melanoma diagnosis. Multiple methods exist for primary and secondary prevention of melanoma in survivors. This study tested a web-based family communication intervention to improve these preventive behaviors in melanoma families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Families (a survivor, at least one first-degree relative and a parent) were randomized either to receive the intervention package or to serve as comparison families. We assessed melanoma prevention behaviors in each cohort member before and after the intervention. The intervention was a web-based multicomponent intervention focused on increasing family communication and exchange of risk information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that, compared to comparison survivors, intervention survivors improved their skin self-examination and their sun protection behaviors significantly from before to after intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support the use of web-based interventions for behavioral changes in survivors and allow for consideration of dissemination of this successful intervention. These data have implications for interventions that can help cancer families deal with issues of risk and illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that survivors can benefit from exposure to a website that helps direct their future health behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th Street # 305, Box 357120, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA, dbowen@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Wylie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Hendrika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meischke
authors.forename: Julie N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma