Justyna Zapolska1,2,1,2, Jennifer Hay3,3, Yuelin Li3,3, Irene Orlow4,4, Colin B Begg4,4, Marianne Berwick5,5. 1. John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, 524 West 59th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA. 2. New York University Lutheran Medical Center, 5616 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11215, USA. 3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10022, USA. 4. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 485 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10017, USA. 5. University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC10-5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Abstract
AIM: Melanoma survivors can play a pivotal role in raising family melanoma risk awareness, but are not always aware of family risk. This study examines patterns and sources of survivors' awareness that first-degree relatives (FDRs) face heightened melanoma risk. PATIENTS & METHODS: Population-based melanoma survivors (n = 170) completed a 15-min telephone interview. Logistic regressions examining covariates were conducted using awareness (yes vs no) of heightened risk to FDRs as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Almost half (41%) were unaware that their FDRs faced heightened melanoma risk. Of those 59% who were aware, most learned this from dermatologists. In multivariable analyses perceived risk and body site remained significant. CONCLUSION: Many melanoma survivors remain unaware that their FDRs are at melanoma risk. The results underscore the role that dermatologists and other doctors play in fostering risk awareness. Sensitivity to providing family risk information to survivors who have lower risk perceptions, regardless of anatomic site, is warranted.
AIM: Melanoma survivors can play a pivotal role in raising family melanoma risk awareness, but are not always aware of family risk. This study examines patterns and sources of survivors' awareness that first-degree relatives (FDRs) face heightened melanoma risk. PATIENTS & METHODS: Population-based melanoma survivors (n = 170) completed a 15-min telephone interview. Logistic regressions examining covariates were conducted using awareness (yes vs no) of heightened risk to FDRs as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Almost half (41%) were unaware that their FDRs faced heightened melanoma risk. Of those 59% who were aware, most learned this from dermatologists. In multivariable analyses perceived risk and body site remained significant. CONCLUSION: Many melanoma survivors remain unaware that their FDRs are at melanoma risk. The results underscore the role that dermatologists and other doctors play in fostering risk awareness. Sensitivity to providing family risk information to survivors who have lower risk perceptions, regardless of anatomic site, is warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
information sources; melanoma risk in first-degree relatives; melanoma survivors; risk awareness
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