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A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-focused intervention to prevent skin cancer

  1. Joel Hillhouse PhD1,†,*,
  2. Rob Turrisi PhD2,
  3. Jerod Stapleton BS2,
  4. June Robinson MD3

Article first published online: 20 OCT 2008

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23922

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 113, Issue 11, pages 3257–3266, 1 December 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hillhouse, J., Turrisi, R., Stapleton, J. and Robinson, J. (2008), A randomized controlled trial of an appearance-focused intervention to prevent skin cancer. Cancer, 113: 3257–3266. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23922

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Community and Behavioral Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee

  2. 2

    Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

  3. 3

    Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois

  1. †

    Fax: (423) 439-6491

*Department of Community and Behavioral Health, East Tennessee State University, Box 70674, Johnson City, TN 37614

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 NOV 2008
  2. Article first published online: 20 OCT 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 JUL 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 17 JUL 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 13 FEB 2008

Funded by

  • American Cancer Society. Grant Number: RSGPB-05-011-01-CPPB

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Keywords:

  • skin cancer;
  • melanoma;
  • prevention;
  • control;
  • harm reduction

An appearance-focused booklet intervention led to significant reductions in normative springtime increases in indoor tanning behavior and intentions in young female indoor tanners. Mediational analyses revealed cognitive and perceptual variables that could explain these effects.

Abstract

BACKGROUND.

Skin cancer represents a significant health threat with over 1.3 million diagnoses, 8000 melanoma deaths, and more than $1 billion spent annually for skin cancer healthcare in the US. Despite findings from laboratory, case-control, and prospective studies that indicate a link between youthful indoor tanning (IT) and skin cancer, IT is increasing among US youth. Appearance-focused interventions represent a promising method to counteract these trends.

METHODS.

A total of 430 female indoor tanners were randomized into intervention or no intervention control conditions. Intervention participants received an appearance-focused booklet based on decision-theoretical models of health behavior. Outcome variables included self-reports of IT behavior and intentions, as well as measures of cognitive mediating variables.

RESULTS.

Normative increases in springtime IT rates were significantly lower (ie, over 35%) at 6-month follow-up in intervention versus control participants with similar reductions in future intentions. Mediation analyses revealed 6 cognitive variables (IT attitudes, fashion attitudes, perceived susceptibility to skin cancer and skin damage, subjective norms, and image norms) that significantly mediated change in IT behavior.

CONCLUSIONS.

The appearance-focused intervention demonstrated strong effects on IT behavior and intentions in young indoor tanners. Appearance-focused approaches to skin cancer prevention need to present alternative behaviors as well as alter IT attitudes. Mediational results provide guides for strengthening future appearance-focused interventions directed at behaviors that increase risk of skin cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.

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