Digital Intervention for Skin Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores a digital program called Sun Safe Together (SST) to help teens and parents improve sun safety habits. The researchers aim to determine if the program is user-friendly and appealing to both groups. The trial targets teens aged 13-17 who live with their parents at least half the time, have experienced a sunburn or used tanning beds in the past year, and have access to a smartphone. Parents must be willing to use Facebook daily and meet similar criteria. The goal is to find better ways to prevent skin cancer by encouraging safer sun practices. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to innovative research that seeks to enhance sun safety for families.
What prior data suggests that this digital intervention is safe for teenagers and their parents?
In a previous study, the Sun Safe Together (SST) program successfully encouraged people to adopt better sun safety habits. Participants used more sunscreen and took other protective steps, like wearing hats and avoiding the midday sun. Sun Safe Together aims to increase understanding and improve actions related to sun exposure, which can help prevent skin cancer.
Other studies have shown that users gave positive feedback on the digital tool used in this program. Participants found the information clear and helpful. No reports of harmful effects have emerged from using the digital tool. Overall, research shows that Sun Safe Together is safe for users and helps them make better choices about sun protection.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Digital Intervention for Skin Cancer because it offers a unique approach to prevention through behavior change. Unlike traditional skin cancer treatments that focus on medical procedures or topical applications, this intervention uses digital platforms to educate and engage both teens and parents. The Teen MMS & Parent Facebook Intervention aims to promote sun-safe habits through mobile messaging and social media, tapping into everyday technology to reach a wider audience and encourage proactive skin protection. By leveraging these digital channels, the intervention hopes to instill lasting sun safety behaviors, potentially reducing the risk of skin cancer over time.
What evidence suggests that the Sun Safe Together digital intervention is effective for improving sun safety?
Studies have shown that digital tools like Sun Safe Together (SST), tested in this trial, effectively teach sun safety. Approximately 87% of studies on sun exposure education found participants greatly improved their understanding of sun safety. Research also shows that using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the midday sun can prevent most skin cancers caused by UV rays. Public health data suggests that proper sun safety habits could prevent up to 90% of melanoma cases. This evidence indicates that a digital program promoting sun safety could effectively lower the risk of skin cancer.12367
Who Is on the Research Team?
Katie A Devine, PhD
Principal Investigator
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Carolyn Heckman, PhD
Principal Investigator
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for teenagers and their parents who are interested in learning about sun safety and ways to prevent skin cancer. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria were not provided, but it targets families willing to participate in a digital health program.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive sun safety and general health messages via MMS for teens and a private Facebook group for parents
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for engagement and retention at 3 and 6 months
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Sun Safe Together (SST)
Trial Overview
The study tests a digital sun safety program called Sun Safe Together (SST), where teens receive messages on their phones and parents get information through Facebook. The goal is to see if this approach helps improve sunscreen use and sun protection habits.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
Citations
Attitudes, Behaviors, and Risks of Sun Protection to Prevent ...
A total of 87% of studies reporting effectiveness of increasing knowledge of sun exposure indicated participants effectively increased knowledge ...
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ctv.veeva.com
ctv.veeva.com/study/sun-safe-together-a-digital-skin-cancer-prevention-intervention-for-adolescents-and-their-parentsSun Safe Together: A Digital Skin Cancer Prevention ...
The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if a digital intervention to improve sun safety, Sun Safe Together (SST), is feasible and
Sun Safety Facts | Skin Cancer
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sun safety is important all year.
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Many products that meet stringent criteria for safe and effective UV protection have earned The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.
A state of the science on influential factors related to sun ...
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Together for Sun Safety - ebccp - National Cancer Institute
The study showed increases in solar protection, including limiting midday sun exposure, and plans apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and stay in the ...
Sun Safety
Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, try using a self-tanning product. But also use ...
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