Internet interventions interest informed melanoma patients
(HealthDay)—The melanoma patients receptive to an Internet-delivered behavioral intervention to promote skin self-examination (SSE) and sun protection behaviors may already have higher knowledge of melanoma signs, according to a research letter published online Oct. 14 in JAMA Dermatology.
Ashley K. Day, Ph.D., from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and colleagues examined factors associated with the receptivity of patients with melanoma (three to 24 months post-surgical treatment) to Internet-delivered interventions to promote engagement in SSEs and sun protection behaviors. Patients were randomly selected to participate, and 176 of 286 responded.
The researchers found that the majority of participants (84.1 percent) had Internet access, which was associated with being younger, having a higher educational level, and having greater knowledge of the ABCDE signs of melanoma. Over two-thirds of respondents (68.4 percent) indicated they were at least moderately interested in an Internet-delivered behavioral intervention. Similarly, those who were interested were likely to be younger, have greater knowledge of the ABCDE signs of melanoma, and be more comfortable using the Internet.
"This work highlights potential limitations of the reach of e-health interventions and identifies factors associated with the receptivity of patients with melanoma to such interventions," conclude the authors.
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