Skin cancer risk discussions in melanoma-affected families
Hay, J., Ostroff, J., Martin, A., Serle, N., Soma, S., Mujumdar, U., & Berwick, M. (2005). Skin cancer risk discussions in melanoma-affected families. Journal of Cancer Education, 20(4), 240-246.
Background: First-degree relatives (FDRs) of melanoma patients are at increased melanoma risk and thus represent an important target for prevention education. Family skin cancer risk discussions may be a useful education context.
Methods: We assessed melanoma patients' (N = 115) self-reported family skin cancer risk discussions and changes in FDRs' prevention strategies.
Results: Melanoma patients overwhelmingly (94%) reported risk discussions, primarily to communicate about melanoma prevention. These discussions occurred most frequently with patients' children (36%). Nearly half (46%) of household FDRs increased their melanoma prevention and control behaviors.
Conclusions: This study attests to the potential to engage melanoma-affected families in prevention education.
