Table 3:
Themes and subthemes from open-ended questions in a melanoma prevention intervention
| Code | Description | Example Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Theme 1: Tips and Tricks for Sun Protection (Generic prevention: n = 81 (AYA); n = 204 (adult) (Precision prevention: n = 55 (AYA); n = 95 (adult) (n = 285 generic prevention; n = 150 precision prevention) | ||
| Avoid sun | Any mention of avoiding the sun/sun is damaging | “Avoid sun exposure as much as possible” – 36-year-old male |
| Avoid tanning beds | Any mention of avoiding tanning beds | “Avoid tanning salons” – 38-year-old female |
| Cover-up | Any mention of covering up, including wear long sleeve shirts and pants | “To stay out of the sun midday and wear long clothing (rather than just sunscreen)” – 35-year-old female |
| General tips | General tips and tricks for prevention | “When I should stay out of the sun and what tactics I should adopt for sun protection” – 35-year-old female |
| Hats | Any mention of wearing hats, ex. wide-brim hats | “You have to wear a hat” – 37-year-old female |
| Lifestyle routine | Incorporated sun prevention behaviors into lifestyle routine | “Just learning about melanoma changed my behaviors. I wear sunscreen on my face no matter what if I know I’m going to be in the sun. I also wear long sleeve shirts and a neck gator when I go fishing or think I’ve had enough sun and I’m just out on the water. I didn’t take these precautions before.” – 38-year-old female |
| Limit sun hours | Any mention of limiting sun hours between 10 am to 4 pm | “Avoid sun between 10 am – 4 pm” – 37-year-old female |
| Sunglasses | Any mention of using sunglasses | “I learned that ocular tissues are as endangered by sun radiation as skin tissues. So, sunglasses are important for cancer protection, not just to make it easier to see in bright environments.” – 21-year-old male |
| Sunscreen | Any mention of using sunscreen | “I am more mindful of reapplying my sunscreen as directed” – 28-year-old female |
| Theme 2: Cancer Prevention (Generic prevention: n = 26 (AYA); n = 80 (adult) (Precision prevention: n = 24 (AYA); n = 59 (adult) (n = 106 generic prevention; n = 83 precision prevention) | ||
| Professional check | Any mention of seeking out a dermatologist or physician appointment | “Made me proactive about my health and I made a skin check appointment with the dermatologist.” – 30-year-old female |
| Self-check | Any mention of self-screening for melanoma | “Checking between your toes for spots.” – 27-year-old female |
| General prevention/protection | Any general prevention/protection measures | “Early prevention is important.” – 38-year-old male |
| Theme 3: General Information (generic prevention: n = 55 (AYA); n = 96 (adult) (precision prevention: n = 8 (AYA); n = 26 (adult) (n = 151 generic prevention; n = 34 precision prevention) | ||
| Awareness | Any mention of increased awareness of melanoma | “Melanoma is relatively common.” – 39-year-old male |
| Prevalence | Any mention of melanoma prevalence | “I was surprised to learn how prevalent it is in the United States.” – 36-year-old male |
| Statistics/rates | Any mention of statistics/rates of melanoma | “4 out of 100 develop melanoma.” – 39-year-old female |
| Survival high | Any mention of survival being high | “Survival rate is high” – 39-year-old female |
| Survival low | Any mention of survival being low | “Much larger number of deaths than I expected” – 24-year-old female |
| Survival general mention | Any general mention of survival that is not high or low | “That Melanoma can still cause death and needs to be taken seriously.” – 25-year-old male |
| Theme 4: Risk Factors and Genetics (Generic prevention: n = 31 (AYA); n = 39 (adult) (Precision prevention: n = 115 (AYA); n = 218 (adult) (n = 70 generic prevention; n = 333 precision prevention) | ||
| High risk | Participant self-identifies as high risk | “That I was high risk.” – 36-year-old female |
| Average risk | Participant self-identifies as average risk | “That I’m at average risk but that it’s still important to get checked out and to protect myself and my family from getting burned and sun exposure in general.” – 35-year-old female |
| Low risk | Participant self-identifies as low risk | “I am considered low risk” – 37-year-old female |
| General mention of risk | Any mention of risk that is not high, average, or low | “my risk factor” – 52-year-old male |
| Genetic information | Any mention of genetic testing/information | “The genetics results and seeing the stats on developing melanoma.” – 39-year-old female |
| Geographical location | Any mention of Florida being second leading state for melanoma | “Florida has a higher rate of melanoma than most other states” – 38-year-old male |
| Theme 5: Intervention Comments (Generic prevention: n = 148 (AYA); n = 296 (adult) (Precision prevention: n = 156 (AYA); n = 313 (adult) (n = 444 generic prevention; n = 469 precision prevention) | ||
| Different layout | Prefer a different layout- less science, less statistics, etc. | “I remember there being a lot of information in this packet. And honestly, I found it difficult to understand. So, I remember being overwhelmed with the information and not fully comprehending the packet.” – 26-year-old female |
| Liked layout | Liked the current layout- readability, color, etc. | “I thought it was well produced and the infographics were well done and effective.” – 36-year-old male |
| Follow-up | Prefer to follow-up sooner or longer study | “No, I wish it was more ongoing.” – 38-year-old male |
| Magnet/reminders | Liked the reminders (ex. Magnet on fridge) would like a beach bag reminder | “Honestly, the simple reminder was effective.” – 34-year-old male |
| More science | Would like sources cited, more statistics, or more science | “More scientific facts regarding proteins involved and mechanism of disease progression.” – 36-year-old male |
| No behavior change | Did not implement a lifestyle behavior change | “My exposure to sun is me walking to and from my car (5–10 min a day or less), and I don’t really have any moles or freckles.”– 27-year-old female |
| Nothing | Did not learn anything | “I am a biology professor that is quite knowledgeable about skin cancer.” – 43-year-old male |
| Resourceful | Intervention materials were resourceful and helpful | “It was great information and very helpful.” – 35-year-old female |
| Share knowledge | Shared intervention materials (ex. with friend, family, or classmates) | “I try to spread the knowledge I’ve gained with others.” – 69-year-old male |
| Understandable | Intervention materials were understandable | “Short and to the point is good for memory” – 33-year-old male |
| Already aware | Participants did not learn anything from intervention | “I could write you can an entire book about the integumentary system and the incidence densities of cancers their in.” – 38-year-old male |
| Did not receive | Participants did not receive intervention materials | “Do not remember receiving it” – 39-year-old female |
| Don’t remember | Participants do not remember intervention materials | “Didn’t remember anything, sorry” – 38-year-old male |