A Survey of Licensed Massage Therapists’ Perceptions of Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Activities

Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US. Training massage therapists (MTs) in skin cancer prevention and detection cre-ates opportunity for reducing skin cancer burden. Little is known about MTs’ perceptions of skin cancer prevention and detection, their discussions of these topics with clients, or their referral recom-mendations for suspicious skin lesions. Purpose: We surveyed MTs’ perceptions of their role in engaging in conversations about skin cancer prevention, viewing the skin for suspicious lesions, and referring clients with such lesions to health care providers.Setting, Participants, Research Design: We ad-ministered an online survey from 2015–2017 of licensed MTs practicing in the US and at least age 21 years (n = 102); quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed in 2017.Main Outcome Measures: The main variables assessed were MTs perceptions of (a) appropriate-ness for asking clients about skin cancer history, skin cancer prevention, suspicious lesion referral and follow-up; and (b) comfort with recognizing and discussing suspicious lesions, recommending a client see a doctor for suspicious lesion, and discussing skin cancer prevention.Results: Quantitative data revealed that most MTs were amenable to discussing skin cancer prevention during appointments; few were en-gaging in these conversations. MTs were more comfortable discussing suspicious lesions and recommending that a client see a doctor than they were sharing knowledge about skin cancer and sun safety. Categories based on qualitative content analysis were: sharing information for the client’s benefit, and concerns about remaining within scope of practice.Conclusions: MTs have boundaries for skin cancer risk-reduction content to include in a client discussion and remain in their scope of practice. These findings will help support a future educa-tional intervention for MTs to learn about and incorporate skin cancer risk-reduction messages and activities into their practice.

Download Full-text

Web-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Training for Massage Therapists: Protocol for the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13480 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Lois J Loescher ◽

Kelly M Heslin ◽

Laura A Szalacha ◽

Graciela E Silva ◽

Myra L Muramoto

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

The United States ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Health Awareness ◽

Web Based ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Massage Therapists ◽

Cancer Risk Reduction

BACKGROUND Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, is costly and potentially deadly. Its burden can be reduced by early detection and prevention activities. The scope of skin cancer requires going beyond traditional health care providers to promote risk reduction. Partnering with the nonbiomedical workforce, such as massage therapists (MTs), may reach more individuals at risk. MTs see much of their clients’ skin and are amenable to performing skin cancer risk reduction activities during massage appointments. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to describe the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education protocol, presenting an overview of our systematic approach to developing rigorous e-training for MTs to enable them to be partners in skin cancer risk reduction. We also describe procedures for usability and feasibility testing of the training. METHODS We developed an integrated electronic learning system that includes electronic training (e-training) technology, simulated client interactions, online data collection instruments, and in-person assessment of MTs’ application of their training. RESULTS A total of 20 participants nationally scored the e-training as high for usability and satisfaction. We have screened an additional 77 MTs in Arizona for interest and eligibility, and currently have 37 enrolled participants, of whom 32 have completed the Web-based training. CONCLUSIONS The structured and rigorous development approach for this skin cancer risk reduction and brief behavioral intervention e-training for MTs begins to fill a gap in skin cancer risk reduction research. Iterative usability testing of our asynchronous Web-based training resulted in positive participant response. Our e-training approach offers greater learner accessibility, increased convenience, and greater scalability than the few existing programs and has the potential to reach many MTs nationally. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13480

Download Full-text

Pilot Study of Skin Cancer Risk Reduction Behaviors, Cancer Communication, and Skin Cancer Beliefs in Hispanics

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v12i1.1560 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 95-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Salina M. Torres ◽

Marcel Ramos ◽

Robert Leverence ◽

Deborah Bowen ◽

Marianne Berwick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Cancer Information ◽

Study Objective ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Cancer Beliefs ◽

Cancer Risk Reduction ◽

Melanoma Skin

Purpose: Given rising rates of deadly melanoma skin cancer in Hispanics, the study objective was to examine skin cancer-related risk reduction behaviors and beliefs to dictate content for culturally targeted skin cancer prevention strategies for Hispanics. Methods/Data Source: An anonymous survey was administered to waiting room volunteers in a primary care facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico to assess skin cancer risk reduction behaviors, screening, cancer information seeking and communication, as well as skin cancer beliefs in Hispanics (n=48) and Non-Hispanic Whites (n=36). Results: We found lower levels of sun protection clothing use among Hispanics compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, but comparable use of sunscreen and shade-seeking among these groups. Hispanic ethnicity was the most important predictor of skin cancer misconceptions, with skin cancer information overload and misconceptions reported more often in Hispanics. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the need for culturally relevant information for ethnic minority populations such as Hispanics who have shown an increased risk of presenting with later stage, more aggressive melanoma skin cancer.

Download Full-text