Poster Presentation Skin Cancer 2024

Narrative Synthesis of Skin Cancer Prevention Interventions for Samples with High Proportions of Participants with Skin of Color in a Systematic Review (#161)

David B Buller 1 , Alexandra B Morshed 2 , Radhika Agarwall 2 , Irene Adjei 1 , Shenita Peterson 3 , Cam Escoffery 2 , Mary K Buller 1 , Barbara J Walkosz 1 , Kayla Anderson 2
  1. Klein Buendel, Inc., Golden, CO, United States
  2. Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
  3. Woodruff Health Science Center Library, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

While melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers are very prevalent in light-skinned non-Hispanic (NH) White adults in the United States, rates of skin cancer may be increasing in Hispanics, African Americans present with thicker lesions, and both Hispanics and African Americans have higher skin cancer mortality rates than NH Whites. Ethnic minority adults may have lower knowledge and risk perceptions, practice sun protection infrequently and for reasons other than skin cancer, have less access to dermatologists, and receive fewer skin exams than NH Whites. As part of a project adapting an evidence-based occupational program to be more equitable by including lower-risk African American and Hispanic worker populations, we conducted a systematic literature review of behavioral skin cancer prevention interventions (N=25 studies). We extracted information from studies (N=10 studies inclusive of 2014-2022) that evaluated interventions in samples with 20% Hispanic (range=23.3-100%) and/or African American (range=4.1-100%) participants. Interventions were delivered in clinical (N=8) and community (N=2) setting through verbal (e.g., community health worker) (N=4), printed (N=4), visual (e.g., videos/photographs) (N=7), and e-messages (N=2). Adaptations for individuals with skin of color included incorporating culturally relevant images, culturally appropriate language (including Spanish translation), and testimonials, informed by diverse research staff and interested individuals. Seven studies evaluated interventions in randomized controlled trials, two in non-randomized experimental designs, and one in a cohort study, with interventions primarily showing improvements in knowledge, perceived risk, and reported sun protection. To be effective with lower-risk populations, skin cancer prevention interventions should incorporate cultural tailoring of images, language, and testimonials.