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Melanoma literacy among the general population of three western US states |
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| Authors: | Sancy A. Leachman Emile Latour Brian Detweiler-Bedell Jerusha B. Detweiler-Bedell Adrienne Zell Elizabeth Wenzel Elizabeth Stoos Jacob H. Nelson Jack Wiedrick Elizabeth G. Berry Jane Lange Ruth Etzioni Jodi A. Lapidus |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;2. Biostatistics Shared Resource, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;3. Department of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, USA;4. Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;5. Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;6. Biostatistics and Design Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University (OHSU-PSU) School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA;7. Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA Center for Early Detection Advanced Research, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;8. Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Abstract: | Melanoma is a significant cause of cancer death, despite being detectable without specialized or invasive technologies. Understanding barriers to preventive behaviors such as skin self-examination (SSE) could help to define interventions for increasing the frequency of early detection. To determine melanoma knowledge and beliefs across three high-incidence US states, 15,000 surveys were sent to a population-representative sample. We aimed to assess (1) melanoma literacy (i.e., knowledge about melanoma risks, attitudes, and preventive behaviors) and (2) self-reported SSE and its association with melanoma literacy, self-efficacy, and belief in the benefits of SSE. Of 2326 respondents, only 21.2% provided responses indicating high knowledge of melanoma, and 62.8% reported performing an SSE at any time in their lives. Only 38.3% and 7.3% reported being “fairly” or “very” confident about doing SSE, respectively. SSE performance among respondents was most strongly associated with higher melanoma knowledge, higher self-efficacy, and personal history of melanoma. Melanoma literacy among survey respondents was modest, with greater literacy associated with a higher likelihood of reported preventive behavior. This assessment establishes a baseline and provides guidance for public health campaigns designed to increase prevention and early detection of this lethal cancer. |
| Keywords: | health behavior health literacy melanoma population characteristics risk factors self-examination surveys and questionnaires |