Melanoma is a relatively common cancer, with stable or rising rates in the United States. Recent studies have identified genetics as an important contributor to risk, in addition to the well-established environmental risk factor of sun exposure. Self-examination is a potential method of identifying melanoma early enough to treat, and reducing sun exposure, especially in childhood, is a specific method of reducing risk of melanoma incidence. Both of these behavioral risk reduction behaviors need to be promoted, especially in individuals at familial risk for melanoma. We propose to identify cases of melanoma via an existing population-based registry to deliver behavioral and communications messages to the case and family members. We will randomize families to receive a Web-based intervention to help them through the experience of melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and recovery by emphasizing communications, support, information about risk, and changing health behaviors related to risk. This model of cancer-related behavior change intervention is potentially relevant to many different forms of familial cancer. The main aim of the randomized trial is to improve the sun exposure and self-examination behaviors of melanoma cases, first degree relatives, and the parents of children 0-18 via an intervention delivered through interactive electronic communication methods. Secondary intervention aims include determining the effects of this intervention on secondary outcomes from our behavioral model, identifying characteristics of user subgroups of relatives and relating these to outcomes, examining the acceptability of this intervention package, and determining the relationship between dose of intervention and effect of intervention.
Aims addressing basic issues in communications are to identify perceptions and understanding of melanoma risk and family communication in melanoma cases, first degree relatives and parent and children, and relation to exposure related risk, general health risk, and health-related quality of life and to determine the effects of risk information framing on intentions to perform screening and sun exposure reduction behaviors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA107430-01
Application #
6762711
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BGES (02))
Program Officer
Yaroch, Amy L
Project Start
2004-05-01
Project End
2008-04-30
Budget Start
2004-05-01
Budget End
2005-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$669,350
Indirect Cost
Name
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
078200995
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98109
Bowen, Deborah J; Hay, Jennifer; Meischke, Hendrika et al. (2018) Randomized trial of a web-based survivor intervention on melanoma prevention behaviors of first-degree relatives. Cancer Causes Control :
Bowen, Deborah J; Albrecht, Terrance; Hay, Jennifer et al. (2017) Communication Among Melanoma Family Members. J Health Commun 22:198-204
Chen, Yu; Wu, Fen; Saito, Eiko et al. (2017) Association between type 2 diabetes and risk of cancer mortality: a pooled analysis of over 771,000 individuals in the Asia Cohort Consortium. Diabetologia 60:1022-1032
Bowen, Deborah J; Hay, Jennifer L; Harris-Wai, Julie N et al. (2017) All in the family? Communication of cancer survivors with their families. Fam Cancer 16:597-603
Colditz, Graham A; Gehlert, Sarah; Bowen, Deborah J et al. (2016) Toward a Modern Science of Obesity at Washington University: How We Do It and What is the Payoff? Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 9:503-8
Bowen, Deborah J; Burke, Wylie; Hay, Jennifer L et al. (2015) Effects of web-based intervention on risk reduction behaviors in melanoma survivors. J Cancer Surviv 9:279-86
Bowen, Deborah J; Hay, Jennifer L; Mayer, Joni et al. (2012) Predictors of recruited melanoma families into a behavioral intervention project. Contemp Clin Trials 33:85-92
Hay, Jennifer; DiBonaventura, Marco; Baser, Raymond et al. (2011) Personal attributions for melanoma risk in melanoma-affected patients and family members. J Behav Med 34:53-63
McBride, Colleen M; Bowen, Deborah; Brody, Lawrence C et al. (2010) Future health applications of genomics: priorities for communication, behavioral, and social sciences research. Am J Prev Med 38:556-65
Harris, Julie N; Hay, Jennifer; Kuniyuki, Alan et al. (2010) Using a family systems approach to investigate cancer risk communication within melanoma families. Psychooncology 19:1102-11

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