WED-081 - Enhancing Equity: The Impact of a University-based Skin Cancer Intervention

Brief Abstract Summary: Explore how cancer poses a serious health threat, with an estimated 200,340 melanoma cases expected by the end of 2024. Early detection yields a 5-year survival rate of 99%, but populations of color are three times more likely to receive late diagnoses, resulting in a lower survival rate of 66% for Black patients compared to 90% for White patients. A Spring 2024 review found a lack of diverse skin types (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) in skin cancer studies. Funded by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, a March 2025 intervention at a large southeastern university will target populations of color, addressing specific risk factors like keloid scarring. Pre- and post-tests will assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sun protection, and a validated risk assessment tool will gauge its effectiveness with darker-skinned college students. Findings will lend to the expansion of health education resources for marginalized populations.

Detailed abstract description: Skin cancer represents a significant health threat as an estimated 200,340 cases of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed by the end of 2024. With early detection, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%. However, populations of color are three times more likely to receive a late diagnosis, after the melanoma has already metastasized. As a result, the actual 5-year melanoma survival rate is 66% for Black patients, compared to 90% for White patients. A Spring 2024 scoping review of skin cancer interventions revealed an underrepresentation of participants with darker skin tones (i.e., Fitzpatrick scale skin types IV-VI). Funded by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, this intervention (planned for early March 2025) will tailor programming for populations of color at a large southeastern university, highlighting the risk factors more commonly observed in darker skin tones (e.g., keloid scarring). Pre- and post-test evaluations for this intervention will measure change in knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors regarding sun protection behaviors and skin cancer risk factors. Additionally, a novel skin cancer risk assessment tool previously validated in a nationally representative sample will be provided to intervention participants, enhancing our understanding of its validity in a college-age sample of darker skin tones. Results from this intervention will provide critical insights for expanding health education resources to include marginalized populations.