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Cognitive training with photographs as a new concept in an education campaign for self‐detection of melanoma: a pilot study in the community
Author(s) -
GaudyMarqueste C.,
Dubois M.,
Richard M.A.,
Bonnelye G.,
Grob J.J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03940.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , population , cognition , limiting , sample (material) , telephone interview , health education , telephone survey , skin cancer , family medicine , medical education , public health , psychiatry , cancer , advertising , environmental health , nursing , engineering , mechanical engineering , social science , chemistry , chromatography , sociology , business
Background Cognitive education using only photographs has been shown to be more effective than the ABCD algorithm to improve melanoma recognition in the general population. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a campaign based on cognitive education by photographs instead of the usual ABCD algorithm. Methods Brochures including a panel of photographs of melanoma and moles were mailed, supported by a media campaign and followed by a telephone survey of a representative sample of the district population. Results Among the 855 people interviewed, 38% recalled the campaign and 13% had actually read the brochures. Among the 13%, 99% found them useful, 52% reassuring and 40% anxiety provoking, while 92% agreed that using images of skin cancer was the best way to recognize melanoma. Sixty‐four percent declared that this campaign had prompted them to examine their own moles, 39% were prompted to check moles of family members, and only 11% would immediately visit a doctor. Conclusion This pilot study shows that a melanoma campaign based exclusively on images is well accepted in the community, and is associated with a favourable impact on self‐surveillance, while limiting overflow of unjustified consultations. We recommend this innovative concept be applied to large scale campaigns.