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Achieving integrated self-directed Cancer aftercare (ASICA) for melanoma: how a digital intervention to support total skin self-examination was used by people treated for cutaneous melanoma.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Reilly, Felicity 
Contstable, Lynda 
Brant, William 
Rahman, Kaz 
Durrani, Amer 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Melanoma incidence has quadrupled since 1970 and melanoma is now the second most common cancer in individuals under 50. Targeted immunotherapies for melanoma now potentially enable long-term remission even in advanced melanoma, but these melanoma survivors require ongoing surveillance, with implications for NHS resources and significant social and psychological consequences for patients. Total skin self-examination (TSSE) can detect recurrence earlier and improve clinical outcomes but is underperformed in the UK. To support survivors, the Achieving Self-directed Integrated Cancer Aftercare (ASICA) intervention was developed to prompt and improve TSSE performance, with subsequent reporting of concerns and submission of skin photos to a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner (DNP). ASICA was delivered as a randomized pilot trial. METHODS: This paper reports on process evaluation. Data on participants' demographics and the concerns they reported during the trial were tabulated and displayed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. We explored which participants used ASICA, and how frequently, to report any skin concerns. We also determined how the interactions had worked in terms of quality of skin photographs submitted, clinical assessments made by the DNP, and the assessments and decisions made for each concern. Finally, we explored significant events occurring during the trial. Data on participants' demographics and the concerns they reported during the trial were tabulated and displayed using SPSS. A semi-structured interview was undertaken with the DNP to gain perspective on the range of concerns presented and how they were resolved. RESULTS: Of 121 recruited melanoma patients receiving ASICA for 12 months, 69 participants submitted a total of 123 reports detailing 189 separate skin-related concerns and including 188 skin photographs. Where participants fully complied with follow-up by the DNP, concerns were usually resolved remotely, but 19 (10.1%) were seen at a secondary care clinic and 14 (7.4%) referred to their GP. 49 (25.9%) of concerns were not completely resolved due to partial non-compliance with DNP follow-up. CONCLUSION: Melanoma patients randomized to the ASICA intervention were able to report skin-related concerns that could be resolved remotely through interaction with a DNP. Feasibility issues highlighted by ASICA will support further development and optimization of this digital tool. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov , NCT03328247 . Registered on 1 November 2017.

Description

Keywords

Cancer, Melanoma, Primary care, Randomised Controlled Trial, Self-directed care, Survivorship, e-health, Aftercare, Cancer Survivors, Computers, Handheld, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Melanoma, Middle Aged, Mobile Applications, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local, Nurse Practitioners, Oncology Nursing, Photography, Pilot Projects, Self Care, Self-Examination, Skin, Skin Neoplasms, United Kingdom

Journal Title

BMC Cancer

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1471-2407
1471-2407

Volume Title

21

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC