Skin Cancer Research Training

Approximately 74,000 individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed with invasive melanoma yearly, and about 10,000 will die from the disease. Trends for melanoma incidence have increased for men and women. People with a history of melanoma have 10 times greater risk of developing a second primary melanoma relative to the general population. Early detection is extremely important. Research supports melanoma survivor and partner skin self-examination training programs to be an effective early detection strategy. The use of an evidence-based training program is a reliable and accurate for skin self-examination behaviors with relatively frequent cues and doctor reinforcement. Population-based studies have identified sexual minority populations as one with higher rates of engagement in cancer risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, skin cancer prevention practices) compared to heterosexual peers. This request proposes to use evidence-based self-examination programs in a training program targeted to LGBTQ adults, to increase their knowledge of cancer risks associated with sun exposure, and to ultimately develop a dissemination strategy to promote this training more broadly among sexual minority populations. The outcome of the training program and dissemination is to increase the screening behaviors and early diagnosis of skin cancer among sexual minority populations.