This paper is in the following e-collection/theme issue:

Skin Cancer and Melanoma Prevention (113) Emotional, Social, Psychological Support for Cancer (199)

Published on in Vol 1, No 2 (2018): Jul-Dec

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/9734, first published .
Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma Patients and Their Family Members: Pilot and Feasibility Study

Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma Patients and Their Family Members: Pilot and Feasibility Study

Facebook Intervention for Young-Onset Melanoma Patients and Their Family Members: Pilot and Feasibility Study

Authors of this article:

Elliot J Coups1, 2 Author Orcid Image ;   Sharon L Manne1, 2 Author Orcid Image ;   Sherry L Pagoto3 Author Orcid Image ;   Kevin R Criswell1 Author Orcid Image ;   James S Goydos1, 4 Author Orcid Image
Article Authors Cited by (8) Tweetations (2) Metrics

    Original Paper

    1Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

    2Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

    3Department of Allied Health Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States

    4Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

    Corresponding Author:

    Elliot J Coups, PhD

    Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

    Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

    195 Little Albany Street

    New Brunswick, NJ, 08903

    United States

    Phone: 1 7322358076

    Fax:1 7322358808

    Email: coupsej@cinj.rutgers.edu


    Background: Despite their elevated melanoma risk, young-onset melanoma patients and their families exhibit low rates of engagement in skin cancer surveillance and sun protection behaviors. Interventions that improve skin cancer surveillance (total cutaneous exam [TCE] and skin self-exam [SSE]) and prevention (sun protection) practices among young-onset patients and their family members would likely have an impact on skin cancer morbidity and mortality; however, such interventions are lacking.

    Objective: The objective of our study was to examine the development, feasibility, and preliminary impact of a family-focused Facebook intervention to increase engagement in TCE, SSE, and sun protection among young-onset melanoma patients and their families.

    Methods: In this study, 48 young-onset melanoma patients and their 40 family members completed measures of knowledge; beliefs; and TCE, SSE, and sun protection intentions before and 1 month after participating in 1 of 5 separate “secret” (ie, private) Facebook groups. The intervention content consisted of daily postings about skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors, TCE, SSE, and sun protection.

    Results: Patient and family member participation rates differed by recruitment setting, with acceptance rates ranging from 24.6% to 39.0% among families recruited from a cancer center setting and from 12.7% to 61.5% among families recruited from a state registry. Among the 5 consecutive groups conducted, engagement, as measured by comments and likes in response to postings, increased across the groups. In addition, participants positively evaluated the intervention content and approach. Preliminary analyses indicated increases in TCE, SSE, and sun protection intentions.

    Conclusions: Our family-focused Facebook intervention showed promise as a potentially feasible and efficacious method to increase sun protection and skin cancer surveillance among individuals at increased risk for melanoma.

    JMIR Dermatol 2018;1(2):e3

    doi:10.2196/derma.9734

    Keywords

    young adults with melanoma; family interventions; sun protection; skin surveillance; skin examination; social media; Facebook 


    The incidence of young-onset melanoma, defined as a diagnosis of melanoma before the age of 40, is increasing; the risk of developing melanoma is more than 6 times higher among young adults than it was 40 years ago [1]. Melanoma is the most common malignancy occurring among young adults aged 25-29 years and the second most common malignancy among persons aged 15-29 years [2]. Having a first-degree relative with melanoma more than doubles a person’s melanoma risk, which can be attributed to genetics as well as shared environmental factors [3]. Furthermore, spouses or partners of melanoma patients are at increased risk for melanoma [4], which may be due to shared environmental or phenotypic risk factors. Thus, the population of family members at an elevated risk for melanoma is growing in tandem with the increase in the patient population.

    Melanoma risk is known to be associated with the magnitude of ultraviolet radiation exposure [5-7]. The American Cancer Society and other agencies (eg, Skin Cancer Foundation) recommend prevention by avoiding exposure to ultraviolet light during peak exposure hours and recommend using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. The American Cancer Society also recommends regular surveillance for adults, including total cutaneous exams (TCEs) by a health care provider and comprehensive skin self-exams (SSEs). TCE is a cost-effective and safe procedure that facilitates the identification of thinner lesions that can be treated more successfully than thicker ones [8,9]. Comprehensive SSE confers up to a 63% reduction in melanoma risk [10]. Reportedly, 40%-45% of diagnosed melanomas are initially detected by patients incidentally or while conducting a deliberate SSE [11]. Adherence to TCE and SSE is likely to reduce the cancer burden as well as the incidence of malignant melanomas diagnosed at advanced stages, particularly among populations at an elevated risk.

    The US Preventive Services Task Force states that there is insufficient evidence to recommend regular TCE and SSE for the general population of average-risk adults. However, professional and preventive services groups recommend routine screening for higher-risk persons who have an first-degree relative with melanoma [2,12]. It is recommended that these at-risk family members should engage in regular sun protection and undergo routine TCEs and SSEs [2,12].

    Despite their elevated melanoma risk, engagement in TCE, SSE, and sun protection is low among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients. Between 47% and 59% of first-degree relatives report ever having a TCE [13-15], and about one-third of first-degree relatives have not conducted an SSE in the past year [10,14-16]. Reportedly, engagement in regular sun protection ranges from 20% to 59% [13-15]. The limited work conducted to date has indicated that engagement in TCE, SSE, and sun protection is similarly low among first-degree relatives of young-onset melanoma patients (Manne, unpublished data).

    Moreover, young-onset melanoma survivors are at a higher relative risk for a second malignancy than adults diagnosed with cancer who are over 39 years of age [17]. The cumulative incidence of secondary malignancies rises faster over time for young adult survivors than for childhood and older adult survivors [17]. Follow-up guidelines for melanoma patients recommend that they reduce their risk for secondary malignancies by receiving a periodic TCE, conducting a regular SSE, and engaging in regular sun avoidance and protection [18,19]. Although most melanoma patients receive a periodic TCE [20-22], only 14%-39% of patients conduct a thorough SSE on a regular basis [8,9,23,24]. Prior research has indicated that engagement in recommended TCE is very high among young-onset melanoma patients (Manne, unpublished). Only 59% of young-onset melanoma patients have reported engaging in SSE in the past year (Manne, unpublished). Even among those reporting a skin exam, comprehensiveness of self-exams is low (eg, 42% examine their feet, 29% examine their scalp; Manne, unpublished). Furthermore, engagement in regular sun protection is low (Manne, unpublished).

    Young-onset melanoma patients and their family members are a growing and unique cancer population who are at elevated skin cancer risk. Effective interventions to improve their surveillance and prevention practices will likely have an impact on skin cancer morbidity and mortality. Prior behavioral interventions for melanoma patients and their family members have primarily been delivered in person or via individual print or telephone counseling [25,26]. Few of these interventions have targeted both patients and their family members. For example, Bowen et al [27] found that a Web-based family communication intervention improved skin surveillance and sun protection behaviors among melanoma patients and their family members compared with that among a wait-list control group. In another study, melanoma patients and their family members reported greater engagement in SSE behaviors after receiving a dyadic compared with a solo learning intervention [28].

    An intervention that is delivered via a social media modality offers some advantages over other intervention modalities. One advantage is the high reach. Young adults are high users of Facebook [29]. Second, social media platforms allow users to interact with one another and create their own content. Closed social media platforms such as secret Facebook groups allow for the formation of a group environment where patients can engage with other patients who have undergone similar experiences, family members can interact with the families of other patients, and everyone can view all postings. This engagement may facilitate group support for behavior change and promote the setting of social norms and expectations for practices and attitudes. Normative influences drive attitudinal change and play a role in sun protection and SSE for individuals at increased risk for melanoma, including individuals with a personal or family history of melanoma [15,30]. Third, social media allows health care providers to interact with participants. For example, cutaneous oncologists can address questions about skin cancer that are viewed by all members of the group. Finally, social media modalities provide a less expensive way to disseminate information and skills [31]. Because of these advantages, social media modalities such as Facebook have been incorporated as a component of behavioral interventions to reduce tobacco use [32], improve physical activity [33,34], and enhance weight loss [35]. To date, there have been few stand-alone Facebook interventions [36].

    This study reports on the development and acceptability of a family-focused Facebook intervention for young-onset melanoma patients and their family members. Young-onset survivors face unique challenges and have unique needs and preferences. They manage survivorship recommendations at a time when they manage other life tasks such as choosing life partners, starting or finishing new educational or occupational pursuits, and starting or caring for their own families [37,38]. In addition, their family members are likely younger than those of patients diagnosed at an older age and, therefore, may face similar challenges in engaging in skin cancer risk-reducing behaviors. This study had two aims. The first aim was to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention, which was measured by recruitment rates, participation in the Facebook groups, retention, and acceptability. The second aim was to provide a preliminary examination of the impact of the intervention on knowledge; beliefs (family perceptions and support, sun protection benefits and barriers, SSE benefits and barriers, and norms); and sun protection, SSE, and TCE intentions.


    Procedure

    Patients were recruited from the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and via referral from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry (NJSCR). At CINJ, potentially eligible patients were identified by reviewing outpatient medical appointments and electronic medical records. Patients were either approached in the clinic area or sent a letter about the study, along with an informed consent form and postage-paid return envelope. The patients who were sent a letter were telephoned by a member of the research team. For the NJSCR, potentially eligible patients were identified through a case review of pathology reports and other surveillance records. Each patient’s treating physician of record was contacted by a staff member from the NJSCR to ensure that the patient could be contacted. Physicians had 2 weeks to respond, after which an NJSCR staff member contacted patients via letters and telephone to obtain permission to share their contact information with the research team at CINJ. Patients who provided permission were mailed a letter about the study, along with the informed consent form and a postage-paid return envelope. They were then contacted via telephone to determine their eligibility and interest in the study. Eligible and interested patients were asked to provide the name and contact information of a spouse or partner and one or more first-degree relatives. These family members were recruited using the same procedures as outlined above for patients. All participants provided informed consent either by completing a hard-copy consent form or electronically using a secure Web-based form.

    After providing informed consent, participants completed a Web-based or pencil and paper baseline survey that included questions on demographic factors; Facebook use; and skin cancer-related knowledge, beliefs, and behavioral intentions. Participants were then invited to join a study-specific “secret” Facebook group. A secret group on Facebook can only be viewed by invited individuals, and the name and existence of the group are not publicly disclosed on Facebook. Furthermore, posts to secret Facebook groups cannot be shared on Facebook outside of the group members.

    Participants

    Participants were melanoma patients and their family members (ie, spouses or partners, siblings, parents, and children). The eligibility criteria for patients were as follows: those diagnosed with melanoma within the past 5 years; diagnosed with stage 0-III melanoma between the ages of 18 and 45 years; not currently on active treatment for melanoma or any others cancer; able to speak and read English; with access to a computer with internet access and familiarity with social media platforms; with a spouse, partner, or first-degree relative(s) eligible and willing to participate in the study; and able to give meaningful informed consent. For family members, the eligibility criteria were as follows: those aged 18-89 years; able to speak and read English; with access to a computer with internet access and familiarity with social media platforms; and able to give meaningful informed consent.

    Survey Measures

    A copy of the survey is available in Multimedia Appendix 1.

    Demographics and Facebook Use (Assessed at Baseline Only)

    Participants reported their sex, age, and highest level of education. They also indicated the number of Facebook friends they have and the amount of time per day they spend on Facebook.

    Knowledge and Beliefs (Assessed at Baseline and Follow-Up)

    Knowledge about skin cancer risk factors was assessed using 13 true or false items drawn from prior research [15]. A total knowledge score was obtained by summing the number of correct responses for each participant. Family perceptions about skin cancer risk, sun protection, and SSE [15,39] is a 9-item measure assessing perceived benefits of sun protection and SSE to one’s family as well as discussions with family about these topics (Cronbach alpha=.92 and .94 for the baseline and follow-up surveys, respectively). The family support measure was developed for this study; its 4 items measured the degree to which the participants supported their family members engaging in regular sun protection and regular SSE as well as how important it is that their family members engage in these behaviors (Cronbach alpha=.92 and .95, respectively). An 8-item measure assessed the benefits of sun protection (sunscreen, sun-protective clothing; Cronbach alpha=.84 and .82, respectively) [15]. A 15-item measure assessed perceived barriers to using sunscreen (Cronbach alpha=.87 and .83, respectively), and an 11-item measure assessed barriers to wearing sun-protective clothing (Cronbach alpha=.86 and .89, respectively) [40]. An 8-item measure assessed SSE benefits (Cronbach alpha=.79 and .87, respectively) [15], and an 11-item measure assessed barriers to SSE (Cronbach alpha=.76 and .80, respectively) [15]. Tanning norms (5 items) measured family and friends’ sunbathing practices (Cronbach alpha=.74 and .72, respectively). Sun protection norms (7 items) measured family and friends’ sun protection practices and attitudes (Cronbach alpha=.83 and .71, respectively). Furthermore, image norms for tanness (5 items) assessed participants’ beliefs about societal beliefs regarding the importance of tanned appearance for celebrities and society (Cronbach alpha=.67 and .56, respectively) [41].

    Behavioral Intentions (Assessed at Baseline and Follow-Up)

    Sun protection intentions were assessed by averaging responses to 8 items (Cronbach alpha=.85 and .86 at baseline and follow-up, respectively) [42]. SSE intentions were assessed by averaging responses to 2 items (Cronbach alpha=.98 and .92, respectively) [42], and a single item was used to assess TCE intentions [42]. Furthermore, the measure of TCE intentions was only included in the final 2 Facebook groups.

    Evaluations of the Facebook Groups (Assessed Immediately After Group Completion)

    Drawing on prior research [42-44] and items developed for this project, 20 items assessed participants’ evaluations in each Facebook group. Each item utilized a 7-point response scale. We created 3 subscales: evaluation of the content (7 items, Cronbach alpha=.92; eg, “The information I received was interesting”); helped prepare participants to discuss sun protection and exams with one’s family (5 items, Cronbach alpha=.97; eg, “After participating in the group and viewing posts, I feel more prepared to talk to my family about engaging in regular sun protection, skin self-exams, and exams by a doctor”); and the overall Facebook experience (8 items, Cronbach alpha=.93; eg, “I felt comfortable participating in the discussions that we had on the Facebook group”). Correlations among the 3 subscales varied from r=.56 to r=.81. Additionally, we used open-ended questions to solicit additional feedback.

    Overview of the Facebook Groups

    We conducted 5 separate secret Facebook groups. After each group, the team met to decide upon changes to be made to content based on the information garnered from debriefing interviews with participants. An overview of the characteristics of the 5 groups is shown in Table 1. For each group, the research team posted approximately two times per day on average (typically morning and late afternoon), including weekends. The posts focused on the following broad topics: skin cancer risks, sun protection, SSE, and TCE. Additionally, the content of the posts was informed by the Preventive Health Model [45] and the Theory of Normative Social Behavior [46,47]. For example, posts focused on skin cancer knowledge, benefits and barriers to behavior change, goal setting, family support, and normative beliefs. As outlined later, some variation existed in the content and order of posts across the Facebook groups. In general, posts included a small amount of text content, typically accompanied by a photograph or graphic image. Some posts asked participants to respond to a poll, complete a quiz, or provide a viewpoint or answer to a question by commenting on the post. Example Facebook posts are shown in Figure 1 (a welcome message) and Figure 2 (a family support and engagement message).

    For all Facebook groups, participants were asked to complete a Web-based, paper and pencil, or telephone Facebook evaluation survey immediately after the end of the group. The evaluation survey was completed by 76% (67/88) of the participants. In addition, participants were invited to complete a semistructured telephone interview at the end of the group that solicited feedback on study procedures and the content of the Facebook groups. For participants who had previously completed the Facebook evaluation survey, the interview provided them with an opportunity to expand on their survey responses. The number of individuals completing a semistructured interview for each group was as follows: group 1, n=4; group 2, n=8; group 3, n=5; group 4, n=19; group 5, n=17 (overall completion rate=53/88, 60%). Results of the Facebook evaluation surveys and semistructured interviews were reviewed by research team members and used to inform the content and approach of subsequent groups. Participants in groups 2-5 were asked to complete a follow-up Web-based or pencil and paper survey 1 month after the end of the group that included the questions on skin cancer-related knowledge, beliefs, and behavioral intentions from the baseline survey (overall completion rate=65/80, 81%). Furthermore, participants received a US $50 gift card for completing each of the baseline and follow-up surveys (but did not receive compensation for completing the Facebook evaluation survey or the telephone interview). This study was approved by the Rutgers Health Sciences Institutional Review Board.

    Table 1. Characteristics of the Facebook groups.
    Group numberDate of groupLength of group (days)Posts (n)Patients in the group (n)Family members in the group (n)Total group members (N)
    1May 20161531268
    2July-August 201628537411
    3November-December 201629564610
    4January-February 20162854141024
    5June-July 20172855211435
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    Figure 1. Example Facebook post 1. Photograph from Getty Images; credit: andres; creative #: 489039170; licensed under fair use.
    View this figure
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    Figure 2. Example Facebook post 2.
    View this figure
    Facebook Group 1

    For this group, participants received a 1-page handout in the mail after completing the baseline survey. As shown in Figure 3, the handout welcomed individuals to the program, described the goals of the program, and gave brief advice on how to reduce risk for skin cancer. There was no specific order to the Facebook posts, and the moderator only posted content but did not reply or engage in any conversation with participants in the group. The posts focused primarily on skin cancer risks and sun protection, with only 2 messages on SSE and 1 message on TCE. Several posts were memes or links to external sites. Changes suggested by one or more participants included the following: (1) organize messages by weekly topics; (2) increase the duration of the group to provide more content; (3) increase interactivity (eg, quizzes); (4) drop memes; and (5) use personal narratives.

    Facebook Group 2

    For this group, participants again received a 1-page handout in the mail after completing the baseline survey; we extended the length of the group to 28 days and included moderator’s comments on most posts. Additionally, we grouped the posts into weekly topics: week 1, skin cancer risks; week 2, sun protection; week 3, SSE; and week 4, TCE. The posts included quizzes, personal narratives, polls, tailored information about the group’s beliefs and behaviors (based on data from the baseline survey), and also addressed family influences. Several “ask the doctor” posts with prepared questions and answers were posted on behalf of a medical oncologist. Changes suggested by one or more participants included the following: (1) include information on planning behavior change; (2) provide alternate ways to consider barriers; (3) include more information on benefits; (4) include more pictures with posts; (5) reduce the length of posts; (6) add more discussion questions, and; (7) include more interaction with a medical oncologist.

    Facebook Group 3

    For this group and the subsequent groups, we removed the mailed 1-page handout. Posts for Facebook group 3 were revised to address the changes suggested by group 2 participants. For example, posts encouraged participants to develop behavior change goals and to identify potential barriers and solutions. In addition, a medical oncologist joined the group and answered questions on a more regular basis. Furthermore, more posts were made by moderators, and they encouraged group participation. Changes suggested by one or more participants included the following: (1) have larger groups to promote group interaction; (2) include more information about the dangers of indoor tanning; (3) increase the number of posts targeting young adults; and (4) include recent news or research about skin cancer.

    ‎
    Figure 3. Handout mailed to participants in Facebook groups 1 and 2.
    View this figure
    Facebook Group 4

    The primary change for this group was to increase the number of group members to 24. Additionally, posts were revised to focus more on indoor tanning, young adults, and skin cancer-related news and research. Participants provided positive feedback about the group, with the primary suggestion being to have an even larger group.

    Facebook Group 5

    This group utilized the same posts and approach for group 4 but with a larger group of 35 individuals. Again, participants were enthusiastic about the group, suggested more encouragement of group support, and suggested a larger group size.


    Sample Characteristics

    As detailed below, a total of 88 individuals (48 melanoma patients and 40 family members) participated across 5 separate Facebook groups. The demographic characteristics of the study sample are shown in Table 2. Among the 40 family members, 8 were the spouse or partner of the patient, 1 was the child, 19 were the sibling, and 12 were the parents. Among both patients and family members, the proportion of female participants was markedly higher than that of male participants. In part, this may be due to the higher rate of melanoma among young adult women than among men. The sample exhibited a relatively high level of education, with more than three-quarters of participants (71/88, 81%) reporting completing college or a graduate degree. Patients reported having a greater number of Facebook friends than their family members (P=.01), but the 2 groups did not differ with regard to the amount of time per week spent on Facebook (P=.81).

    Acceptability

    Enrollment

    At CINJ, a total of 64 patients were approached for the study. Of them, 7 were ineligible and 40 declined to participate (either actively or passively); 17 patients consented and completed the baseline survey (consent rate=17/57, 30%) and 14 joined a Facebook group (overall Facebook joining rate=14/57, 25%). The 17 recruited patients provided contact information for a total of 44 spouses or partners and first-degree relatives. Of those 44 individuals, 3 were ineligible, 23 declined participation, 18 consented and completed the baseline survey (consent rate=18/41, 44%), and 16 joined a Facebook group (overall Facebook joining rate=16/41, 39%).

    The staff of the NJSCR approached 292 patients regarding the study, 23 of whom were ineligible and 203 declined to provide permission to be contacted by the CINJ research team. Among 66 patients who gave permission to be contacted by the CINJ research team, 2 patients were ineligible, 27 declined to participate, 37 completed Web-based consent and the baseline survey (consent rate=37/267, 13.9%), and 34 joined a Facebook group (overall Facebook joining rate=34/267, 12.7%). The 37 recruited patients provided contact information for a total of 40 spouses or partners and first-degree relatives. Of those 40 individuals, 1 was ineligible, 11 declined participation, 28 completed Web-based consent and the baseline survey (consent rate=28/39, 72%), and 24 joined a Facebook group (overall Facebook joining rate=24/39, 62%).

    Retention

    Completion of the follow-up survey varied from 60% (6/10 for group 3) to 85% (50/59 for groups 4 and 5 combined).

    Engagement

    The engagement characteristics of the Facebook groups are shown in Multimedia Appendix 2. On average, participants viewed 66%-83% of posts. The average number of likes and comments per post was higher for groups 4 and 5, even after taking into account the higher number of participants in those groups and higher number of moderator posts in the latter groups. Furthermore, Multimedia Appendix 2 illustrates that the percentage of participants who liked and commented on 25% of the posts increased over the 5 subsequent groups. As outlined earlier, we increased the number of posts across each subsequent Facebook group.

    Evaluation

    The descriptive statistics for participants’ evaluations of each Facebook group are shown in Table 3. Mean ratings of the intervention content in Facebook group 1 were relatively low compared with those in the subsequent groups. In groups 2-5, there were positive evaluations across the evaluation subscales, particularly with regard to the intervention content and feeling more prepared to discuss relevant issues with family members.

    Comments made during the debriefing interview included input about the delivery method (“Facebook is a good medium for what you are doing”), content that was well liked (“I liked the Ask the Expert posts,” “I liked the Mole Map,” “I liked when we shared our personal stories”), impact on behavior (“I enjoyed information about sunscreen. I never used it before, and now I am more conscious,” “I am going to see a dermatologist,” “I need to ask my doctor to do a more thorough exam of my skin”), and how the material impacted discussions with family (eg, “I shared the posts with my children,” “My mom talked to me about the posts”). Some participants commented that they wished there be more group discussion.

    Changes in Outcomes From the Baseline to the Follow-Up

    Changes in the outcomes from the baseline to the follow-up are shown in Table 4, which includes mean changes and their respective 95% CIs. Owing to the small sample sizes, we did not conduct formal inferential statistics. We provided CIs to provide a preliminary indication of potential effects. We conducted analyses separately for groups 2 and 3 due to the substantive differences between the messages and approach utilized in these groups. We analyzed results combined for groups 4 and 5 due to the strong similarity between their messages, approach, and sample sizes and to reduce the CI widths. There was some indication that knowledge scores improved across some groups, as did family perceptions and sun protection benefits. Counter to expectations, barriers to using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing were higher in several groups at follow-up compared with those at baseline. There was some indication that SSE benefits increased over time, but evidence was inconsistent with regard to changes in SSE barriers. Moreover, results were inconsistent with regard to changes in norms across the groups. Encouragingly, the most consistent beneficial effects were observed for behavioral intentions, particularly with regard to groups 4 and 5. For these groups, each of the CIs excluded zero and indicated increases in sun protection, SSE, and TCE intentions from baseline to follow-up.

    Table 2. Demographic characteristics of the study sample (N=88).
    ChacteristicPatients (n=48)Family members (n=40)
    Recruitment site, n (%)

    		Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey14 (29)16 (40)

    		New Jersey State Cancer Registry34 (71)24 (60)
    Relation to patient, n (%)

    		Spouse or partner—a8 (20)

    		Daughter—1 (3)

    		Son—0 (0)

    		Sister—12 (30)

    		Brother—7 (18)

    		Mother—8 (20)

    		Father—4 (10)
    Sex, n (%)

    		Female42 (88)26 (65)

    		Male6 (13)14 (35)
    Age (years), mean (SD)34.5 (6.4)39.5 (13.2)

    		18-25, n (%)7 (15)7 (18)

    		26-35, n (%)17 (35)10 (25)

    		36-45, n (%)24 (50)8 (20)

    		46-55, n (%)0 (0)8 (20)

    		≥56, n (%)0 (0)7 (18)
    Education level, n (%)

    		≤High school or General Educational Development5 (10)4 (10)

    		Some college3 (6)5 (13)

    		College graduate27 (56)19 (48)

    		Graduate degree13 (27)12 (30)
    Number of Facebook friends, n (%)

    		≤1005 (11)15 (40)

    		101-2007 (15)5 (13)

    		201-30012 (26)4 (11)

    		301-4008 (17)14 (37)

    		>40015 (32)0 (0)
    Minutes per day of Facebook use, n (%)

    		<108 (17)5 (13)

    		10-6018 (38)18 (47)

    		61-12010 (21)6 (16)

    		>12011 (23)9 (24)

    aNot applicable.

    Table 3. Participants’ evaluations of each Facebook group.
    VariableaGroup 1 (n=6), mean (SD)Group 2 (n=9), mean (SD)Group 3 (n=7), mean (SD)Group 4 (n=19), mean (SD)Group 5 (n=26), mean (SD)All groups, mean (SD)
    Evaluation of content4.86 (1.68)6.19 (1.05)6.31 (0.79)5.66 (1.37)6.21 (0.71)5.94 (1.14)
    Helped prepare me3.56 (1.46)6.37 (1.32)6.16 (1.08)5.05 (1.72)6.14 (0.93)5.63 (1.52)
    Facebook experience—b—5.25 (1.16)5.45 (1.55)5.87 (0.99)5.63 (1.25)
    Overall, mean (SD)4.43 (1.53)6.25 (1.13)5.84 (0.93)5.42 (1.38)6.06 (0.79)5.73 (1.19)

    aAll subscales were scored on a 1-7 scale, with higher numbers reflecting more positive evaluations.

    bSubscale questions were not asked of participants in that Facebook group.

    Table 4. Mean changes in outcomes from baseline (BL) to follow-up (FU) for the Facebook groups.
    OutcomesGroup 2 (n=9)Group 3 (n=6)Groups 4 and 5 (n=50)
    BLFUChange (95% CI)BLFUChange (95% CI)BLFUChange (95% CI)
    Knowledge11.6711.890.22 (−0.42 to 0.86)11.5012.170.67 (0.12 to 1.21)12.0012.040.04 (−0.27 to 0.35)
    Family perceptions4.434.490.06 (−0.19 to 0.32)4.394.690.30 (−0.28 to 0.88)4.544.50−0.04 (−0.25 to 0.17)
    Family support4.724.720.00 (−0.10 to 0.10)4.884.83−0.04 (−0.30 to 0.22)4.794.74−0.06 (−0.24 to 0.13)
    Sun protection benefits4.634.38−0.25 (−1.03 to 0.53)4.484.630.14 (−0.72 to 1.01)4.624.670.05 (−0.04 to 0.14)
    Sunscreen barriers1.731.920.18 (−0.26 to 0.63)2.432.530.11 (−0.48 to 0.69)2.252.260.02 (−0.16 to 0.20)
    Clothing barriers2.472.920.45 (−0.83 to 1.74)2.552.910.36 (−0.53 to 1.26)3.012.97−0.04 (−0.22 to 0.14)
    Sun protection intentions5.645.690.05 (−0.28 to 0.37)5.155.300.15 (−1.98 to 2.28)4.945.330.39 (0.17 to 0.61)
    SSEa benefits5.475.42−0.05 (−0.58 to 0.49)5.285.650.38 (−0.04 to 0.79)5.165.280.12 (−0.11 to 0.35)
    SSE barriers3.053.180.14 (−0.82 to 1.10)3.133.180.05 (−0.42 to 0.52)2.982.93−0.06 (−0.22 to 0.11)
    SSE intentions6.256.06−0.19 (−1.23 to 0.86)4.906.001.10 (−1.44 to 3.64)5.296.130.84 (0.42 to 1.26)
    TCEb intentions—c—————6.026.580.56 (0.18 to 0.94)
    Tanning norms3.953.48−0.48 (−1.00 to 0.05)4.524.28−0.24 (−1.05 to 0.57)3.733.760.02 (−0.22 to 0.27)
    Sun protection norms3.983.48−0.50 (−0.94 to −0.06)3.293.770.49 (−0.72 to 1.69)3.793.70−0.08 (−0.31 to 0.15)
    Image norms3.443.33−0.12 (−0.81 to 0.57)3.363.640.28 (−0.52 to 1.08)3.663.53−0.13 (−0.36 to 0.10)

    aSSE: skin self-examination.

    bTCE: total cutaneous examination.

    cThe measure was not included for that Facebook group.


    Principal Findings

    To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to evaluate a family-based skin cancer risk reduction intervention for young adults with melanoma and their relatives and the first behavioral intervention for this population delivered entirely through Facebook. Interventions delivered through social media are innovative and a promising way to reach young adults and their family members. In addition, Facebook provides a novel way to engage family members with one another, encourage young survivors to interact with other young survivors and their relatives, and facilitate engagement between families in learning and discussion about skin cancer. During the year-long development of the Facebook group methodology and its content, our team learned several lessons.

    First, group engagement, as defined by participation (ie, likes and comments to original posts), improved steadily over the groups (eg, 0% of group 1 members and 9% of group 2 members commented on at least 25% of posts compared with 40% of group 5 members). Several factors may have contributed to this increase. A higher number of group members were recruited into each group over time, which may have increased the likelihood that one or more participants would post comments, find commonalities, and promote discussion. Another factor that may have increased participation was the quality of the posts. Based on the postgroup debriefing with participants and team discussion, we created posts that were briefer and designed to elicit interaction (eg, posed a question). Posts such as personal stories, goal-setting exercises, quizzes, and the opportunity to have questions answered by a cutaneous oncologist were rated as particularly engaging by group members.

    The second lesson learned was that recruitment was challenging. Patient provision of relatives’ contact information, reaching out to and enrolling relatives, completion of surveys, and ultimate acceptance into the Facebook group represent different steps with the potential loss of participants associated with each step. The most common point for participant loss was at the initial patient contact. Acceptance rates among patients differed by recruitment source, with a lower acceptance rate from the cancer center recruitment (at CINJ) than from the NJSCR. Family members joined the Facebook groups at higher rates than did patients. It is possible that recruitment from the cancer center provides the advantage of patient trust on the oncologist and knowledge of the institution. However, registry recruitment has the advantage of provision of greater reach into the general patient population. Another challenge was the relatively small number of relatives provided by each patient. One possible explanation is that patients stated they did not have siblings, suggesting smaller family size to be a reason.

    The third lesson learned was that despite the challenges of enrollment, once enrolled, engagement was high, particularly in the latter groups. In their comments, participants shared their personal experiences with melanoma, provided each other with encouragement to undergo SSE and TCE and to engage in sun protection, asked one another for advice about sun protection products and recommendations for dermatologists who could perform exams, discussed personal barriers to sun protection and skin exams, set skin exam and sun protection goals, and posed questions for the cutaneous oncologist about melanoma and skin exams. Negative, off-topic, or unhelpful comments were not observed, although some members stated in their debriefing interviews that they did not share as much as they might have to not upset the family member who was diagnosed with cancer.

    The fourth lesson learned was that evaluations of the groups, other than group 1, were positive. Participants reported that the content was informative and valid, the group prepared them to discuss skin cancer prevention with their family, and they felt comfortable sharing their experiences and connected with other group members. Given one of the key goals of this intervention was to encourage family members to support one another’s skin cancer risk reduction, the fact that participants reported that the posts prompted discussions with their family members and that the group facilitated interactions with family members who were not participating in the group was encouraging.

    Owing to the small sample size and the fact that outcomes were reported separately by group, it is difficult to make firm conclusions about the efficacy of the intervention. Our preliminary data suggest that there were increases in sun protection, SSE, and TCE intentions for the final 2 groups. There were generally inconsistent results with regard to improvements in the knowledge and beliefs outcomes. Definitive conclusions with regard to the efficacy of the intervention will require larger randomized clinical trials.

    Limitations

    Limitations of this study include low recruitment rates for patients and the small sample size. Future research is warranted to examine patients’ and their family members’ preferences with regard to delivery platforms for skin cancer prevention and surveillance interventions. Additionally, efforts are needed to identify strategies for maximizing participant recruitment, engagement, and retention for interventions delivered via social media and other platforms. The fact that we conducted 5 separate Facebook groups allowed the team to develop and refine the intervention in a deliberate, iterative manner based on participant engagement and feedback, which was the primary purpose of this study. The sample size in this study meant that we were not able to conduct a factor analysis of the Facebook group evaluation survey items. This should be addressed in future studies with larger sample sizes.

    Conclusions

    This pilot and feasibility study demonstrated that a moderated family-focused Facebook intervention for young-onset melanoma survivors and their family members is feasible and acceptable. For future similar research, we recommend Facebook group durations of at least 1 month with ≥35 participants and regular posts by moderators. Because recruitment of patients was challenging, future studies may benefit from focusing on methods of enhancing patient recruitment. Additionally, although this study provided preliminary evidence of positive changes in outcomes, particularly with regard to behavioral intentions, further research is needed with larger sample sizes to determine the statistical and practical significance of such effects and to examine behavioral outcomes.

    Acknowledgments

    This research was supported by institutional funds to SLM, PhD. We thank Antoinette Stroup, PhD; Lisa Paddock, PhD; and other employees of the NJSCR for their valuable help in conducting this study and Evangelynn Murphy and Sara Frederick for assistance with data collection and management.

    Conflicts of Interest

    None declared.

    ‎

    Multimedia Appendix 1

    Study survey measures.

    PDF File (Adobe PDF File), 99KB
    ‎

    Multimedia Appendix 2

    Engagement characteristics of the Facebook groups.

    PDF File (Adobe PDF File), 25KB
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    ‎
    CINJ: Cancer Institute of New Jersey
    NJSCR: New Jersey State Cancer Registry
    SSE: skin self-exam
    TCE: total cutaneous exam

    Edited by G Eysenbach; submitted 26.12.17; peer-reviewed by J Taber, R Pankomera; comments to author 18.03.18; revised version received 21.05.18; accepted 10.07.18; published 01.11.18

    Copyright

    ©Elliot J Coups, Sharon L Manne, Sherry L Pagoto, Kevin R Criswell, James S Goydos. Originally published in JMIR Dermatology (http://derma.jmir.org), 01.11.2018.

    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Dermatology Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://derma.jmir.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.