Interactive Media for Skin Cancer Control in Adolescents

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing at a high rate. Skin cancers are uniquely suited forprevention and early detection interventions in that adequate sun protection can prevent occurrence andscreening can reduce morbidity and mortality. This interactive multimedia program is intended toincrease cancer risk avoiding and cancer controlling behaviors in high sun exposure adolescentpopulations aged 16 to 21. Information gathering focus groups will be held with target audiences toidentify personal and interpersonal motives associated with both risky and protective behaviors; thesefindings will be used in the design of the educational materials. Social marketing and stages of changeinterventions will be used to channel users to full motion video, still image, and animation basedmotivational, skills training, and self efficacy enhancing program segments. These multimedia materialswill be under the control of the program user. Qualitative and quantitative data from pilot testsconducted with target group members will be used for formative evaluation of the interactive program.A randomized clinical trial will be conducted to assess the efficacy and costs and benefits of thisapproach in relation to traditional media during Phase II of the research.