Skin cancer risk discussions in melanoma-affected families. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • 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.

publication date

  • January 1, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Communication
  • Family
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Melanoma
  • Skin Neoplasms

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 33344455452

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1207/s15430154jce2004_13

PubMed ID

  • 16497137

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 20

issue

  • 4