title: Melanoma Perception in People of Color: A Targeted Educational Intervention.
abstract: Although melanoma is more common in non-Hispanic Whites, ethnic minorities face a greater risk of melanoma-related mortality, which may be partially attributed to presentation at atypical sites and a lack of awareness.
  
  
  
  Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of a melanoma educational intervention targeted towards people of color.
  
  
  
  Participants received one of two scripted melanoma educational interventions in the summer of 2015. They completed surveys before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 2 months post-intervention.
  
  
  
  Dermatology clinic at an academic hospital.
  
  
  
  A consecutive sample of 100 participants who self-identified as African American, Asian, or Hispanic were recruited following their dermatology visit. In total, 70 participants completed the 2-month follow-up questionnaire.
  
  
  
  The comparison intervention group received an educational intervention using a conventional pamphlet on the 'ABCDEs' (Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter, Evolution) of melanoma. The targeted intervention group received a modified pamphlet that included a skin of color section, the nomenclature "melanoma skin cancer", and an image of an individual performing a skin self-examination with the help of a friend.
  
  
  
  Melanoma knowledge, perceived risk for developing melanoma, and skin self-examination practices were assessed through self-reported questionnaires.
  
  
  
  Among the 100 participants, 78% self-identified as African American, 11% as Asian, and 11% as Hispanic. Both groups experienced a similar increase in melanoma knowledge that was retained at 2 months. Perceived personal risk for developing melanoma increased more in the targeted intervention group immediately post-intervention (p = 0.015), but this difference no longer existed between the groups at the 2-month follow-up. The targeted intervention group also demonstrated a greater increase in skin self-examinations (p = 0.048) and knowledge of warning signs to look for when examining the skin (p = 0.002) at the 2-month follow-up.
  
  
  
  The educational intervention targeted towards people of color resulted in increased skin self-examinations. Educational material that is relevant to ethnic minorities may better promote early detection and help to decrease the disparity in melanoma-related morality rates.
  
  
  
  Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02437305.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St, Ste 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy X
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St, Ste 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Stavonnie S L
authors.initials: SSL
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Alfred W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Rademaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Dachao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St, Ste 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. rkundu@nm.org.
authors.forename: Roopal V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kundu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires