HealthSmart: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Young Adult Cancer Survivors Using Educational Videos

HealthSmart: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Young Adult Cancer Survivors Using Educational Videos

To assess the efficacy of the two SunSmart intervention videos to change sun protection attitudes and behaviors

SunSmart is a novel video intervention designed to prevent secondary skin cancer in young adult cancer survivors by increasing their adherence to recommended sun protection.

This study will assess two versions of the SunSmart video intervention. These are: 1) The INFORMATION VIDEO providing basic information about UV risks, including secondary skin cancer and the benefits of sun protection (SP), as well as specific SP recommendations and steps to integrate SP as part of routine self-care for the healthy cancer survivor; and 2) THE INFORMATION + APPEARANCE VIDEO which will include the full information video, along with an additional embedded video segment emphasizing negative appearance consequences of UV exposure. Primary aim of the study is to assess the impact of the video intervention on sun protection intentions and behavior in young adult cancer survivors compared to a control intervention. Secondary aims are to describe the impact of the appearance information when included in the SunSmart intervention, to investigate the extent to which the intervention changes sun protection through hypothesized mediating variables, and to describe the consistency of sleep behaviors over time in cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of cancer diagnosis at least one year prior

• Current age 18-35

• No cancer therapy in the prior 3 months (excluding chemoprevention agents)

• No future cancer therapy planned

• Able to read and write in English

• Not compliant with recommended sun protection, as determined by at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Any intentional sunbathing, artificial tanning or a sunburn in the past 5 years; OR
  2. Having a moderate to light complexion (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV), and not using sunscreen ≥ 90% of the time during incidental sun exposure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of skin cancer diagnosis
• Enrolled on DFCI protocol 17-385 or any other sun protection intervention in the past 5 years.
• Any impairment (e.g., hearing, visual, cognitive) that interferes with the ability to complete all measures independently