Optimizing Texting Interventions for Melanoma Prevention and Early Detection: A Latin Square Crossover RCT

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mobile Health (mHealth)
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Text messaging is a viable tool for delivering health promotion support to large populations.
• Young adults at risk of skin cancer require effective behavioral interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal text messaging intervention for behavior change in young adults at risk of skin cancer.
• To evaluate the impact of text messaging on sun protection habits and sunburn rates.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) using a Latin square crossover design.
• Four distinct text message interventions varying in personalization, interactivity, and frequency were tested.
• Participants (aged 18-40) with skin cancer risk factors received interventions over 1 month, with 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• All four text message interventions significantly increased sun protection habits compared to baseline.
• Sunburn rates decreased significantly across all interventions, from 40.3% at baseline to 7.0% post-intervention and 23.5% at 6-month follow-up.
• No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the four intervention types.

Conclusions:

• Regular text messaging interventions are effective in promoting sun protection and reducing sunburn in young adults.
• Mobile health strategies, like text messaging, show promise for skin cancer prevention in at-risk populations.