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150 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

mHealth Interventions for Skin Cancer

(SESAME Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location
NA
BN
Overseen ByBonnie Nolan
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Northwestern University
Disqualifiers: Medical condition preventing MVPA, others
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests smartphone-based interventions to help melanoma survivors reduce sun exposure. Participants will use a UV device and activity monitor to track sun exposure and physical activity, while interacting with up to five sun protection features through a smartphone app. The goal is to identify which digital tools best support sun safety and to gather user feedback on their design and ease of use. This trial suits melanoma survivors who are currently cancer-free, spend at least 15 minutes outdoors daily, and own a smartphone. Participants should be willing to use the provided devices and app for up to a year. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative digital health solutions for sun safety.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on sun protection interventions, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected, but you should confirm with the study team.

What prior data suggests that these smartphone-administered sun protection interventions are safe?

Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) tools, such as the smartphone apps tested for skin cancer prevention, are generally safe. These apps are designed for easy use on phones to help manage sun exposure. No significant reports of negative effects have emerged from using these apps. Users, particularly melanoma survivors, find them acceptable and easy to use. While the apps aim to reduce unprotected sun exposure, studies have not identified any harmful side effects. Therefore, participants should find these apps safe to use.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these mHealth interventions for skin cancer because they integrate technology in a way that personalizes prevention strategies. Unlike traditional approaches that often rely on general advice about sun protection, these interventions use real-time UV alerts and health coaching to tailor recommendations to individual needs. With features like "Track Your Sun Protection," participants can monitor their sun exposure actively. This combination of real-time data and personalized guidance aims to improve adherence to sun safety practices, potentially reducing skin cancer risk more effectively than standard methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing unprotected sun exposure in melanoma survivors?

Research has shown that digital tools can help people improve their sun protection habits. This trial will evaluate various mHealth interventions for skin cancer, with participants receiving different combinations of digital tools. Studies indicate that smartphone apps for sun safety can lead to better sun protection behaviors. For example, one study found that mobile health tools reduced exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays by sending real-time alerts and reminders to use sunscreen. Another study demonstrated that digital tools encouraged people to protect themselves from the sun and check their skin regularly. These tools are especially helpful for melanoma survivors, who are motivated to avoid further UV damage. Overall, digital tools have proven effective in promoting safer sun habits.678910

Who Is on the Research Team?

NA

Nabil Alshurafa, PhD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

TS

Tammy Stump, PhD

Principal Investigator

Huntsman Cancer Institute at The University of Utah

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people who have had melanoma in the past (but no current or untreated skin cancer), are English-speaking, use a smartphone with Bluetooth and WiFi, spend at least 15 minutes outside daily in warmer months, and can be active. They must be willing to use study devices and participate for up to a year.

Inclusion Criteria

Is able to speak, read and write in English
I was diagnosed with melanoma and have not had treatment for it in the past three months.
I am willing to download and use a study app.
See 5 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have a condition or doctor's advice that prevents me from doing moderate exercise.
Is currently enrolled in another study on MVPA

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week
1 visit (virtual)

Baseline Assessment

Participants wear UV and activity monitors and complete daily surveys for the first assessment week

1 week
Daily monitoring (remote)

Intervention

Participants receive up to 5 different sun protection interventions via a smartphone app

8 weeks
Remote engagement through app

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants complete another assessment week and provide feedback on interventions

1 week
Daily monitoring (remote)

Follow-up

Participants are contacted one year later to complete a final assessment week

1 week
Daily monitoring (remote)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Sun Exposure and Activities After Skin Cancer: Optimization of mHealth Interventions

Trial Overview

The study tests five different sun protection tools delivered via smartphone—like real-time UV alerts, tracking sun safety habits, health coaching, and action planning—to help melanoma survivors reduce unprotected sun exposure. Participants wear activity monitors and provide feedback on these interventions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

32

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Experimental Condition 9Experimental Treatment5 Interventions
Group II: Experimental Condition 8Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group III: Experimental Condition 7Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group IV: Experimental Condition 6Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group V: Experimental Condition 5Experimental Treatment5 Interventions
Group VI: Experimental Condition 4Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group VII: Experimental Condition 32Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group VIII: Experimental Condition 31Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group IX: Experimental Condition 30Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group X: Experimental Condition 3Experimental Treatment5 Interventions
Group XI: Experimental Condition 29Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XII: Experimental Condition 28Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group XIII: Experimental Condition 27Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XIV: Experimental Condition 26Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XV: Experimental Condition 25Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XVI: Experimental Condition 24Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group XVII: Experimental Condition 23Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XVIII: Experimental Condition 22Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XIX: Experimental Condition 21Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XX: Experimental Condition 20Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XXI: Experimental Condition 2Experimental Treatment5 Interventions
Group XXII: Experimental Condition 19Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XXIII: Experimental Condition 18Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XXIV: Experimental Condition 17Experimental Treatment5 Interventions
Group XXV: Experimental Condition 16Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group XXVI: Experimental Condition 15Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XXVII: Experimental Condition 14Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XXVIII: Experimental Condition 13Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XXIX: Experimental Condition 12Experimental Treatment3 Interventions
Group XXX: Experimental Condition 11Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XXXI: Experimental Condition 10Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group XXXII: Experimental Condition 1Experimental Treatment6 Interventions

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,674
Recruited
989,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials
2,896
Recruited
8,053,000+

Huntsman Cancer Institute/ University of Utah

Collaborator

Trials
2
Recruited
3,400+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials
14,080
Recruited
41,180,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12133408/

Digital Skin Cancer Risk Reduction Interventions for Young ...

Participant outcomes included satisfaction and sun protection. Differences in implementation engagement was assessed by demographic and skin cancer risk factors ...

2.

mhealth.jmir.org

mhealth.jmir.org/2018/11/e199/

A Mobile Technology Intervention With Ultraviolet Radiation ...

We aimed to provide evidence for the effectiveness of digital and mobile technologies to improve sun protection behaviors among young adults.

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221133552200016X

Digital interventions for promoting sun protection and skin ...

A systematic review was conducted to investigate the outcomes of digital interventions that promote sun protection and skin self-examination (SSE).

4.

maps.cancer.gov

maps.cancer.gov/overview/DCCPSGrants/abstract.jsp?applId=10872417&term=CA283480

Division of Cancer Control & Population Sciences - Grant Details

Mobile health (mHealth) approaches to reducing unprotected sun exposure, which are highly acceptable among melanoma survivors, hold potential for delivering ...

5.

jmir.org

jmir.org/2024/1/e55831/

Digital Interventions to Modify Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors ...

This study aimed to compare 3 digital interventions designed to modify UVR exposure, sun protection, and skin cancer detection behaviors among young adults.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9291092/

Views on mobile health apps for skin cancer screening in the ...

mHealth apps may facilitate skin cancer detection, as people in the general population can screen a skin lesion anywhere, at any time. Moreover, an easy and ...

7.

medrxiv.org

medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.18.25340297v1

The impact of a SmartPhone applicatiOn for skin cancer ...

We found a modestly higher skin cancer incidence amongst those who were offered to use the app, though this difference was not statistically ...

8.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41746-023-00831-w

An artificial intelligence based app for skin cancer ...

This study aims to evaluate the impact of an mHealth app for suspicious skin lesions on dermatological healthcare consumption in a population based setting.

9.

mhealth.jmir.org

mhealth.jmir.org/2018/8/e164/

mHealth Approaches in Managing Skin Cancer: Systematic ...

Results: Of the 18 studies, 5 (28%) evaluated prevention interventions, 6 (33%) assessed diagnostic accuracy, and 7 (39%) pertained to ...

10.

ctv.veeva.com

ctv.veeva.com/study/sun-exposure-and-activities-after-skin-cancer-optimization-of-mhealth-interventions

Sun Exposure and Activities After Skin Cancer

The purpose of this study is to evaluate 5 different smartphone administered sun protection interventions that aim to reduce unprotected sun ...

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