Rob Dillard

DocwireNews

During the summer months, many people spend time outside enjoying the sunshine, but&rsquo;s important to do so safely to mitigate the risk of skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Research has shown that a combination of skin self-awareness and regular skin self-examinations is associated with better treatment outcomes following a skin cancer diagnosis.In an effort to identify effective interventions to increase skin self-examinations and decrease melanoma deaths, researchers from Oregon Health &amp; Science University, Lewis &amp; Clark, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the University of Washington conducted the first population-based survey of melanoma literacy in the United States.<h2>Knowledge Plus Confidence Is Key</h2>Researchers assessed results from 2326 responses to the survey of 15,000 households in Oregon, Washington, and Utah, with a goal of increasing melanoma knowledge and strengthening skin-check confidence to improve early detection and save lives.&ldquo;The study we did with Oregon and 2 other states showed that, generally, people knew that they should check their own skin, but they did not feel confident that they would be able to do so successfully,&rdquo; said <a href="https://college.lclark.edu/live/profiles/88-brian-detweiler-bedell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Detweiler-Bedell</a>, a professor of psychology and director of the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership at Lewis &amp; Clark, via a <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1049130" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release.</a> &ldquo;So, there was a gap there.&rdquo;Responses showed that skin self-exam performance was most strongly associated with higher melanoma knowledge and more self-efficacy, or confidence in one&rsquo;s ability to effectively complete an action.<h2>Analyzing Social Media Ads</h2>Following the survey, researchers collaborated with faculty at the Center for Science Communications Research at the University of Oregon to develop and test a number of social media advertisements to increase melanoma knowledge and skin-check confidence. &ldquo;If you look at the results, the&nbsp;true active ingredient is confidence,&rdquo; said Brian Detweiler-Bedell.&ldquo;We were able to demonstrate that the combination of knowledge and confidence is important, but in particular, it is the confidence that really matters,&rdquo; said Jerusha&nbsp;Detweiler-Bedell. &ldquo;Of course, you need to know what unhealthy or potentially suspicious moles look like. But you might ignore or just not even try to check your own skin if you don&rsquo;t first believe in yourself.&rdquo;

Sara Nunnery, MD, MSCI

Reclassifying HER2: What Oncologists Need to Know About HER2-Low and -Ultralow Breast Cancer

HER2 Breast Cancer

Jeffrey Perl, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Thoughts From the 2025 Lazarus Award Winner

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Brandon Twyford

DESTINY-Breast09 Demonstrates First-Line Superiority of Enhertu Plus Pertuzumab in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Latest News

Increasing Self-Confidence May Help Improve Skin Cancer Education

Skin Cancer

Researchers conducted the first population-based survey of melanoma literacy in the United States. 

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HR Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe