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The skinny on skin: The role of skin-aware professionals in skin cancer surveillance.

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Author information

Affiliations

  • 1. Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Dermatology, Portland, Oregon, USA.
      Authors
    • Diehl K 1
    • Nelson J 1
    • Stoos E 1
    • Becker A 1
    • Orfaly VE 1
    • Foltz E 1
    • Leachman SA 1
    (7 authors)
  • 2. Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA.
      Authors
    • Haddadin O 2
    • Young JN 2
    • Zhao H 2
    • Gillespie J 2
    • Pfeifer H 2
    • Lee C 2
    • Shea M 2
    • DeCampos-Stairiker M 2
    • Smith J 2
    • Bash GN 2
    • Sahni V 2
    • Fan Y 2
    • Munoz EP 2
    • Baron D 2
    • Popovici N 2
    • Baghoomian W 2
    (16 authors)
  • 3. University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.
      Authors
    • Shafer A 3
    (1 author)
  • 4. IMPACT Melanoma, Concord, Massachusetts, USA.
      Authors
    • Mason A 4
    • Girard D 4
    • Malcolm T 4
    (3 authors)
  • 5. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
      Authors
    • Geller AC 5
    (1 author)
    • Show all (9)

ORCIDs linked to this article

Show all (6)

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 01 Sep 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16536 PMID: 39219284 

Abstract 

Background

Licensed nonmedical, skin-aware professionals (e.g., hairdressers, massage therapists, etc.) have the potential to identify skin cancer, but baseline knowledge may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. Following educational intervention, self-efficacy is one of the best surrogate metrics for behavior change. Curricula that increase knowledge and confidence levels can improve screening behaviors, but few have been tested for efficacy in this population AIMS: We assessed whether an online curriculum could reliably improve skin screening knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nonmedical professionals PATIENTS/METHODS: Skin-aware professionals were recruited through the Oregon Health Authority and IMPACT Melanoma TM. Participants completed a pre-survey, online training module, post-survey, and one-year follow-up survey. We evaluated participants' indicated levels of concern for suspicious and nonsuspicious lesions relative to "gold standard" physician ratings. We also assessed confidence and self-reported behavior change regarding talking to clients about skin cancer and recommending they see a provider to evaluate suspicious lesions RESULTS: The pre-survey was completed by 9872 skin-aware professionals; 5434 completed the post-survey, and 162 completed the one-year follow-up survey. Participants showed a significant improvement in ability to indicate the correct level of concern for all lesion types in concordance with "gold standard" physician ratings (p < 0.001). Participants reported increased comfort levels in discussing health-related topics with their clients posttraining CONCLUSIONS: Our training module effectively increased skin-aware professionals' knowledge, confidence, and concern for malignant lesions. Skin-aware professionals may serve as a valuable extension of the skin self-exam, but additional studies are needed to evaluate the impact of these curricula long-term, including potential downstream consequences.

Full text links 

Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16536

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Funding 

Funders who supported this work.

Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University

    War on Melanoma