Partner Assistance in Performing Skin Self-Examination

描述（由申请人提供）：皮肤癌是美国最常见的恶性肿瘤，是一个重要的公共卫生问题。年龄越大，患皮肤癌的风险越高;因此，随着美国65岁及以上的成年人口在未来十年内估计增加20%，皮肤癌的发病率将增加。对于那些有患皮肤癌风险的人来说，通过皮肤自我检查（SSE）进行早期检测是降低死亡率和疾病的身体和情感负担的有效策略。 这项研究项目将调查已婚或同居夫妇是否比有患皮肤癌风险的人单独学习更有效地学习和进行皮肤检查。伙伴关系对二元学习的影响是一个新的研究领域，与SSE早期检测皮肤癌特别相关，这通常需要伙伴的帮助来检查个人难以看到的身体部位。本研究将检查200名有患皮肤癌风险的参与者，他们年龄在50岁至70岁之间，有伴侣，参加了一项随机试验，通过自我报告反应，每月日记作为身体地图，以及医生访问诊断服务，对SSE表现进行为期四个月的评估。自我效能的影响进行SSE，皮肤癌的知识和个人风险因素，态度的重要性，皮肤癌和进行SSE;通过改变测试前测试后的自我报告的反应。 此外，它是假设，在合作伙伴关系的差异将温和的二元学习和干预的有效性，以促进自我感觉。这项研究将调查合作伙伴的从属关系变量，有助于SSE的性能和协助皮肤检查。一旦伙伴关系变量和障碍已经确定，将制定战略，以帮助没有生活伴侣的其他人与家庭成员或朋友建立SSE伙伴关系。老年人经常受到失去生活伴侣和损害功能的共病的影响。通过建立皮肤检查伙伴关系，家庭成员可能会意识到家庭成员患有皮肤癌给他们带来的个人风险。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Skin cancer, the most common malignancy in the United States, is an important public health concern. Older age is associated with a higher risk of developing skin cancer; therefore, as the United States population of adults 65 and older increases by an estimated 20 percent in the next decade the incidence of skin cancer will increase. For those at risk to develop skin cancer, early detection by skin self-examination (SSE) is an effective strategy to decrease mortality and the physical and emotional burden of the disease. This research project will investigate whether married or cohabitating couples learn to and perform skin examination more effectively than solo learning by the person at risk to develop skin cancer. The effect of partner affiliation on dyadic learning is a novel area of research that is particularly relevant to early detection of skin cancer by SSE, which often requires the assistance of a partner to examine areas of the body that are difficult for the individual to see. The present study will examine two hundred participants at risk to develop skin cancer, who are between 50 and 70 years old and have partners, enrolled in a randomized trial with four month evaluation of SSE performance, by self-report responses, monthly diaries as body maps, and physician visits with diagnostic services. The effect on self-efficacy of performing SSE, knowledge of skin cancer and personal risk factors, attitude about the importance of skin cancer and performing SSE; is assessed by change in pre-test to post-test self-report responses. In addition, it is hypothesized that differences in partner affiliation will moderate the dyadic learning and the effectiveness of the intervention to promote SSE. This research will investigate partner affiliation variables that contribute to SSE performance and assistance with skin examination. Once partner affiliation variables and barriers have been identified, strategies will be developed to assist others without a life partner to form SSE partnerships with family members or friends. The elderly are often affected by loss of life partners and comorbid diseases that impair function. By forming skin examination partnerships, family members may become aware of the personal risk that is conferred upon them by having a family member with skin cancer.