Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Patient Educ Couns. 2023 Apr 5;112:107742. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107742

Table 3:

Themes and subthemes from open-ended questions in a skin cancer prevention intervention

Code Frequency Location Language Preference Description Example Quote. Study ID, Site, Language
Theme 1: General Information
Number of Participants: Tampa: Spanish-preferring: n=11; English-preferring: n=50 Ponce: Spanish-preferring: n=100
Awareness Tampa: English-preferring: N=26
Spanish-preferring: n=5
Ponce: n=90
Mention of increased awareness/information related to sun, sun exposure, or cancer. “Very important information, I was not aware how dangerous it is to exposure yourself to the sun.” – ID 393, Tampa, Spanish
“The biggest takeaway from the packet was the list of things I could do to prevent my exposure to the sun. The notes about how people are more likely to get sun exposure just from being in the car was also memorable.” – ID 289, Tampa, English
Moles Tampa: English-preferring: N=31
Spanish-preferring: n=5
Ponce: n=39
Mention of moles or mole exams “To check for any abnormalities in a mole.”- ID 460, Tampa, English
“Re-review the mole exam (asymmetry, edges, color, diameter, and changes).” – ID 930, Ponce, Spanish
Share information Tampa: English-preferring: N=5
Spanish-preferring: n=2
Ponce: n=25
Mention of sharing study information with public, friends, schools, etc. “It is instructive and interesting and should be given more publicity.” – ID 377, Tampa, Spanish
“It was educational and something I’d like to keep to share with provider in future if necessary.” – ID 342, Tampa, English
“You should supply at the schools.”- ID 912, Ponce, Spanish
Theme 2: Intervention Comments
Number of Participants: Tampa: Spanish-preferring: n=38; English-preferring: n=166 Ponce: Spanish-preferring: n=149
Follow-up Tampa: English-preferring: N=2
Spanish-preferring: n=1
Ponce: n=7
Mention of wanting additional follow-up during study or longer follow-up periods “More packets would be helpful.” – ID 281, Tampa, English
“I expected more direct skin tests on people who had spots and moles.” – ID 516, Ponce, Spanish
Different format or information Tampa: English-preferring: N=18
Spanish-preferring: n=0
Ponce: n=14
Mention of preferring different study materials or layouts (more science, more statistics, digital based, etc.) “Is there a digital version?”- ID 340, Tampa, English
“Percentages of each race that acquire this type of cancer based on geographical location would be nice.” – ID 292, Tampa, English
“Make more explicit and easy to understand.” – ID 944, Ponce, Spanish
“That the information should be more understandable for those of us who are not experts in the medical research field.” - ID 680, Ponce, Spanish
Liked format or information Tampa: English-preferring: N=74
Spanish-preferring: n=36
Ponce: n=81
Mention of preferring the current layout (handouts, readability, information, color, etc.) “Very good and clear information.” – ID 489, Tampa, Spanish
“This is very good information that I obtained about this disease that I did not know anything about.” – ID 486, Tampa, Spanish
“The explanation in the informational materials is detailed and explained in a simple way that is easy to understand.” – ID 930, Ponce, Spanish
Did not receive Tampa: English-preferring: N=1
Spanish-preferring: n=0
Ponce: n=10
Participant did not receive intervention materials “I did not get the health education packet referenced above.” – ID 254, Tampa, English
“I didn’t receive them.” – ID 713, Ponce, Spanish
Do not remember Tampa: English-preferring: N=15
Spanish-preferring: n=3
Ponce: n=17
Participant did not remember intervention materials “Don’t remember.” – ID 383, Tampa, Spanish
“I don’t remember.” – ID 909, Ponce, Spanish
Nothing Tampa: English-preferring: N=139
Spanish-preferring: n=16
Ponce: n=81
Did not recall anything learned “No” – ID 468, Tampa, English
“No” – ID 889, Ponce, Spanish
Theme 3: Cancer Prevention
Number of Participants: Tampa: Spanish-preferring: n=28; English-preferring: n=70 Ponce: Spanish-preferring: n=94
General prevention and protection Tampa: English-preferring: N=68
Spanish-preferring: n=38
Ponce: n=87
Mention of any general cancer prevention or cancer protections methods “Always protect yourself from the sun is important.” – ID 337, Tampa, English
“Skin cancer prevention and the prevalence in individuals of my same ethnicity and place of residence.” – ID 934, Ponce, Spanish
Professional check Tampa: English-preferring: N=17
Spanish-preferring: n=5
Ponce: n=17
Mention of scheduling or obtaining a dermatology or professional check “It is critical to be examined by a physician regularly for signs of new or developing skin cancers.” - 468, Tampa, English
“They are important, but I am crazy that a skin specialist sees me, a good doctor that will send me to do some studies or a biopsy, if needed since I have lupus and many things I’ve heard and think a lot. I try really hard not to be in the sun too much, too little.” – ID 755, Ponce, Spanish
Self-check Tampa: English-preferring: N=16
Spanish-preferring: n=4
Ponce: n=19
Mention of conducting skin self-checks “I remember everything, it’s important to protect ourselves from the sun in hours when the rays are strongest, and it is also essential to examine yourself when moles or spots appear.” – ID 457, Tampa, Spanish
“The diagrams about what suspicious moles look like and how to do self-examination.” – ID 347, Tampa, English
“Avoid sun exposure, check the body for spots, moles, itching.” – ID 848, Ponce, Spanish
Theme 4: Risk Factors and Genetics
Number of Participants: Tampa: Spanish-preferring: n=3; English-preferring: n=62 Ponce: Spanish-preferring: n=40
Higher risk Tampa: English-preferring N=36
Spanish-preferring: n=1
Ponce: n=16
Mention of participant identifying as high risk “Use sunscreen, take vitamin D because I am at high risk.” – ID 485, Tampa, Spanish
“That I thought I was low risk when truly I’m high risk.” – ID 347, Tampa, English
“From being exposed to the sun from my construction work, the report tells me that I have a high risk of contracting skin cancer.” – ID 838, Ponce, Spanish
Average risk Tampa: English-preferring: N=23
Spanish-preferring: n=0
Ponce: n=2
Mention of participant identifying as average risk “I was at average risk.” – ID 351, Tampa, English
“That I’m at average risk of getting skin cancer.” – ID 249, Tampa, English
“I was below average risk for developing skin cancer.” – ID 277, Tampa, English
“That the MC1R test is low risk.” – ID 701, Ponce, Spanish
General mention of risk Tampa: English-preferring: N=27
Spanish-preferring: n=3
Ponce: n=19
Any general mention of risk that was not high, average, or low “My risk for skin cancer.” – ID 351, Tampa, English
“Risks, protection behaviors.” – ID 318, Tampa, English
“That we are all at risk even though the results are negative or low risk.” – ID 863, Ponce, Spanish
“The risk range and preventive measures.” – ID 567, Ponce, Spanish
Genetic information Tampa: English-preferring: N=2
Spanish-preferring: n=0
Ponce: n=9
Mention of genetic testing/information “Learning my genetics, but also learning I still can get it, too. No one is exempt.” – ID 267, Tampa, English
“The genetic result.” – ID 914, Ponce, Spanish
“The information about genes.” – ID 889, Ponce, Spanish
Race/ethnicity Tampa: English-preferring: N=16
Spanish-preferring: n=3
Ponce: n=1
Mention of race/ethnicity as a cancer risk factor “Sun protection for everyone but especially very white people.” – ID 470, Tampa, Spanish
“Thank you for caring about us Hispanics.” – ID 496, Tampa, Spanish
“High risk due to my ethnicity bias.” – ID 317, Tampa, English
“The high rate of skin cancer among Hispanics.” – ID 282, Tampa, English
“Skin cancer prevention and the prevalence in individuals of my same ethnicity and place of residence.” – ID 934, Ponce, Spanish
Theme 5: Tips and Tricks
Number of Participants: Tampa: Spanish-preferring: n=21; English-preferring: n=87 Ponce: Spanish-preferring: n=135
General tips Tampa: English-preferring: N=1
Spanish-preferring: n=0
Ponce: n=97
Mention of general sun protection tips and tricks “The real life recommendations.” – ID 281, Tampa, English
“Sun protection methods.” – ID 917, Ponce, Spanish
“The six ways to protect ourselves in drawings.” – ID 938, Ponce, Spanish
Avoid tanning beds Tampa: English-preferring: N=0
Spanish-preferring: n=1
Ponce: n=3
Mention of avoiding tanning beds “I must put on everyday sunscreen, sunbathe as little as possible, use long sleeves, don’t use tanning beds.” – ID 450, Tampa, Spanish
“The importance of using sunscreen and never use tanning booths or tables.” – ID 836, Ponce, Spanish
“How harmful tanning salons are.” – ID 707, Ponce, Spanish
Clothing/hats Tampa: English-preferring: N=38
Spanish-preferring: n=11
Ponce: n=54
Mention of protective clothing for sun protection “Clothing to wear when exposed to the sun, sunscreen.” – ID 495, Tampa, Spanish
“Wear long pants, hat, sunglasses, long sleeve shirt.” – ID 487, Tampa, Spanish
“To wear hat, long pants, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt and try to stay out of the sun between hours of 10 am – 4 pm.” – ID 415, Tampa, English
“Sunscreen, hats, basically protecting your skin.” – ID 394, Tampa, English
“The type of clothing to wear, sunscreen, doctor’s visits, self-skin examination.” – ID 761, Ponce, Spanish
“The use of clothes and sunscreen.” – ID 877, Ponce, Spanish
Avoid sun Tampa: English-preferring: N=36
Spanish-preferring: n=16
Ponce: n=45
Mention of avoiding sun “Take care of yourself, follow the instructions on how to prevent or develop skin cancer from too much exposure to the sun.” – ID 487, Tampa, Spanish
“You must avoid damaging sun rays.” – ID 344, Tampa, English
“Nor to stay on the hot sun for long periods of time.” – ID 258, Tampa, English
“How to prevent sun exposure and the hours of increased likelihood of sun damage.” – ID 943, Ponce, Spanish
“Protect yourself from the sun wear appropriate clothing, less hours in the sun.” – ID 818, Ponce, Spanish
Limit sun hours Tampa: English-preferring: N=31
Spanish-preferring: n=5
Ponce: n=23
Mention of limiting sun hours specifically between 10 am to 4 pm “Avoid going out after 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.” – ID 485, Tampa, Spanish
“To avoid sun exposure between 10 to 4.” – ID 315, Tampa, English
“Utilize SPF 15. Don’t exposure yourself to the sun from 10–4.” – ID 839, Ponce, Spanish
“Limit sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.” – ID 781, Ponce, Spanish
Lifestyle routine Tampa: English-preferring: N=10
Spanish-preferring: n=2
Ponce: n=6
Mention of incorporating intervention materials into lifestyle routine “Thank you for the information, here I was tested, if it wasn’t for it I would be all the time outside in my backyard at any time or at the pool or beach.” – ID 485, Tampa, Spanish
“Made me look for what to buy. Doing all this made me want to start using more sunscreen rather than tanning oil.” – ID 339, Tampa, English
“After reading through, I immediately went out and bought SPF 15 to keep in my car.” – ID 289, Tampa, English
“I am taking better care of myself than before in the sun.” – ID 541, Ponce, Spanish
“Many of these measures to protect ourselves from the sun are known to us, but we do not apply them. I am happy to apply them and seek more information about melanoma and carcinoma.” – ID 532, Ponce, Spanish
“I have the gene and now I take care of myself more.” ID 511, Ponce, Spanish
Sunscreen Tampa: English-preferring: N=66
Spanish-preferring: n=15
Ponce: n=57
Mention of using sunscreen for sun protection “The use of sunscreen.” – ID 419, Tampa, Spanish
“Use sunscreen all the time.” – ID 408, Tampa, English
“Use sunscreen.” – ID 914, Ponce, Spanish