Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

The Sun Wise Study: A randomised controlled trial of a personalised skin cancer prevention strategy among people with a history of skin cancer (#516)

Amelia K Smit 1 2 , Philip Ly 2 , David Espinosa 3 , Noushin Nasiri 4 , Linda Martin 1 5 , Pascale Guitera 1 , Robyn Saw 1 6 , Diona Damian 6 7 , Caroline Watts 2 , Martin Allen 8 , Anne E Cust 1 2
  1. Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney
  3. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney
  5. Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW, Australia
  6. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney
  8. University of Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ

Aims: To evaluate the impact of a personalised skin cancer prevention strategy (individual sun exposure alerts delivered via a Sun Watch and personalised SMS prevention reminders) on primary prevention behaviours, including objectively measured sun exposure, sun protection behaviours and psychosocial outcomes.

Methods: Eligible patients are aged >18 years, previously diagnosed with skin cancer and own a mobile phone to receive SMS. Patients will be recruited via clinics at the Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. After completion of the baseline measures (online survey, 7-days wear of a UV dosimeter (objective measure of sun exposure) and an activity diary) participants will be randomised 1:1 to the intervention or control arm. The intervention comprises 7-days wear of a Sun Watch, which issues sun exposure alerts to the wearer via an LED light alongside receiving personalised SMS sun protection reminders, and educational information on skin cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. The control arm will receive the educational information only. All participants will be asked to wear a UV dosimeter and complete an activity diary over the 7-day follow-up period. The primary outcome is total daily Standard Erythemal Doses (SEDs) at follow-up. Secondary outcomes include objectively measured UV exposure for specific time periods (e.g. midday hours), self-reported sun protection and skin-examination behaviours and psychosocial outcomes. The target sample size is 446 people (223 per arm) based on detecting 20% difference in total daily SEDs between groups, calculated using a t-test with a geometric mean ratio of 0.8, coefficient of variation 0.9, 80% power and α of 0.05, and assuming 15% loss to follow-up. A within-trial evaluation will assess the intervention costs.

Discussion: The findings from this trial will improve our understanding of how to support safe sun exposure and improve survival outcomes in the growing population of people with a history of skin cancer.