MelaTools-SSM Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Skin Self-Monitoring for primary care patients at higher risk of melanoma: a phase II RCT
IRAS ID
205041
Contact name
Fiona Walter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the UK. The NIHR-funded 5 year MelaTools programme has the overall aim of improving the timely diagnosis of melanoma by developing electronic tools to help patients monitor changes in moles over time and GPs to make prompt and appropriate management decisions.
The MelaTools-SSM Trial aims to recruit 200 people to complete a 12 month study to look at the effect of using a smartphone application (‘App’) for checking your skin on the decision to go to the GP or nurse about a skin change or mole.
We will ask people between the ages of 18 and 75, who own a smartphone, to take part in the study. Patients and companions will be invited to complete a short questionnaire on a tablet computer in GP waiting rooms in the East of England (as in the MelaTools-Q study). On completion, the questionnaire will give a risk assessment of melanoma. Most people will be at normal ‘population’ risk of melanoma. Some will be ‘above-population’ risk and will be invited to take part in the main study. This will involve a trial consultation with a research nurse at the GP practice where the participant will be either given standard advice on skin cancer protection or this standard advice plus a skin monitoring App to use on their smartphone. Participants will also complete a questionnaire about their skin at this consultation.
During the study period participants will be sent a questionnaire if they visit their GP about a skin change or mole. They will also receive follow up questionnaires about their skin and wellbeing after 6 and 12 months.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0248
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion