Publication Date
2012
Journal or Book Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
Many skin cancer screenings occur in non-traditional community settings, with the beach being an important setting due to beachgoers being at high risk for skin cancer. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of a skin cancer intervention in which participants (n = 312) had a full-body skin examination by a clinician and received a presumptive diagnosis (abnormal finding, no abnormal finding). Participants’ pursuit of follow-up was assessed post-intervention (n = 283). Analyses examined: (1) participant’s recall of screening results; and (2) whether cognitive and behavioral variables were associated with follow-up being as advised. Just 12% of participants (36/312) did not correctly recall the results of their skin examination. One-third (33%, 93/283) of participants’ follow-up was classified as being not as advised (recommend follow-up not pursued, unadvised follow-up pursued). Among participants whose follow-up was not as advised, 71% (66/93) did not seek recommended care. None of the measured behavioral and cognitive variables were significantly associated with recall of screening examination results or whether follow-up was as advised. Research is needed to determine what factors are associated with follow-up being as advised and to develop messages that increase receipt of advised follow-up care.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9051836
Volume
9
Special Issue
Sunbathing Habits and Skin Cancer
Issue
5
License
UMass Amherst Open Access Policy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Greaney, Mary L.; Puleo, Elaine; Geller, Alan C.; Hu, Stephanie W.; Werchniak, Andrew E.; DeCristofaro, Susan; and Emmons, Karen M., "Patient Follow-Up After Participating in a Beach-Based Skin Cancer Screening Program" (2012). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 51.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9051836