Skin CancerNCT07247123
Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of a Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program
A study testing Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framing and Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framing in people with Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer Prevention, run by National University Hospital, Singapore at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
Skin cancer is a significant public health concern, even in an Asian society like Singapore where it ranks among the top 10 cancers. This RCT tests the effectiveness of a skin cancer educational intervention to improve skin cancer outcomes among skin-of-color individuals, including the effects of gain versus loss… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Skin Cancer, Skin Cancer Prevention, Benign Skin Growth
- What is being tested?
- Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framing and Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 280 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals aged 16 and above
- Able to read and converse in English
- Able to provide informed consent
- Having the ability to use and interact with a web server or application.
Who cannot join
- Individuals who have cognitive impairment or decline to participate. There will be no exclusion criteria based on a previous history of skin cancer.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Singapore1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
National University Hospital
Singapore, 609783
Ellie Choi, 67795555, dermresearchec@nuhs.edu.sg
About this study
Official title: Protocol for Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of a Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Skin cancer is a significant public health concern, even in an Asian society like Singapore where it ranks among the top 10 cancers. This RCT tests the effectiveness of a skin cancer educational intervention to improve skin cancer outcomes among skin-of-color individuals, including the effects of gain versus loss framing.
Read the detailed description
Reducing skin cancer related morbidity and mortality involves two broad domains; (1) Identification and early detection of skin cancers and (2) Awareness and behavioral change to reduce modifiable risk factors like UV exposure. Regular self-examination and public education have been shown in RCTs to improve knowledge and identification of skin cancers. However most of these existing studies and the tools they utilise rely on Western-centric photographs and messaging, such as the 'ABCDE rule' for superficial spreading and nodular melanoma. These neglect skin cancers far more common in skin of colour population such as acral lentiginous melanomas, pigmented basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
In addition to improving detection, effective behavioural change strategies are needed to encourage protective practices such as regular sunscreen use. Message framing has gained interest as a behavioral change technique: gain-framed messages emphasize the benefits of adopting a behavior, while loss-framed messages highlight the negative consequences of not doing so. Although message framing is widely used in health communication, evidence of its effectiveness in promoting skin cancer-related behaviors is unclear.
Effectiveness of our proposed intervention can help to increase adoption of sun protective behaviours, improve detection rates of skin cancer and allow earlier medical intervention, hence reducing morbidity and mortality of skin cancer.
- Conditions
- Skin Cancer, Skin Cancer Prevention, Benign Skin Growth
- Being tested
- Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framing, Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framing, Wait-list Control
- Keywords
- skin cancer, skin cancer education, skin cancer intervention, patient education, digital education
- Medical subject headings
- Skin Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framingBehavioural
This educational website will feature gain-framing messages, emphasizing the benefits of adopting a behavior, utilising positive language and analogies. The interventional domains are (1) Education on skin cancer risk factors and epidemiology, (2) UV Protection Advice, (3) Skin Self-Examination Techniques and (4) Differentiating benign vs malignant skin conditions.
Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framingBehavioural
This educational website will feature loss-framing messages, highlight the consequences of failing to adopt a behavior, utilising negative language and analogies. The interventional domains are (1) Education on skin cancer risk factors and epidemiology, (2) UV Protection Advice, (3) Skin Self-Examination Techniques and (4) Differentiating benign vs malignant skin conditions.
Wait-list ControlBehavioural
Participants in the control group will gain access to the intervention websites after the 4-month questionnaire is completed.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Placebo comparator | Participants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire, and another at the 4 month mark. Access to the intervention for control group participants will only be provided after the 4-month questionnaire is completed. Receives: Behavioral: Wait-list Control |
| Intervention with gain framing | Experimental | Participants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire. Afterwards, they will have access to a website with gain-framed messages emphasising benefits of adopting a behaviour. Thereafter, another competency questionnaire will be administered following completion of material. Receives: Behavioral: Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framing |
| Intervention with loss framing | Experimental | Participants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire. Afterwards, they will have access to a website with loss-framed messages highlighting consequences of failing to adopt a behaviour. Thereafter, another competency questionnaire will be administered following completion of material. Receives: Behavioral: Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in competency scores
Scores measured as percentage of correct questions answered. Range from 0% to 100% with higher score indicating higher ability to differentiate benign from malignant skin lesions.
Change in scores will be calculated and compared between
- Both intervention arms with the control group at 4 months, and
- Between gain framed and loss framed intervention arms at 4 months
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (5)
Knowledge of skin cancer, sun protection and skin self-examination
20 Multiple Choice Questions created based on intervention website. Score range from 0 to 20, with a higher score indicate higher knowledge in risks of skin cancer, appropriate sunscreen use and features of cancerous lesions.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Attitudes toward carrying out sun protection behaviours
6 questions graded on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better attitudes toward sun protection behaviours
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Subjective norms, which refer to participants' perception of whether significant individuals in their lives would support sun protection behaviours
7 questions graded on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating a greater influence of others' perception on their sun protection behaviours
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Behavioural outcomes (sun protection behaviour and skin self-examination)
Sun Exposure and Protection Index. 9 questions graded on a 5-point Likert scale assessing sun habits and sun protection behaviour. Lower scores indicate more optimal sun protection behaviours, with an additional adapted question.
11 additional questions regarding participants' sunscreen usage (e.g. type of sunscreen, frequency of reapplication), and skin-self examination, with a lower score indicating more optimal sun protection behaviours.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Intentions of participants toward carrying out skin cancer risk prevention strategies
Sun Exposure and Protection Index (6 questions with an additional adapted question). Each given response score (0-4) are summed, with scores ranging from 0-24, with higher score indicating a low propensity to increase sun protection.
2 additional questions regarding participants' intentions of conducting a skin-self examination. 7 point Likert Scale (1-7), with higher score indicating higher intentions of conducting a skin-self examination.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Nov 2025
- Study start15 Jun 2026
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Skin CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 280 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National University Hospital, Singapore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ellie Choi, MBBS, Principal investigator, National University Hospital, Singapore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07247123
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/00074
- Status last verified
- Oct 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: IPD shared includes de-identified demographics and measures.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Protocol for Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of a Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07247123
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024/00074
- Conditions
- Skin Cancer, Skin Cancer Prevention, Benign Skin Growth
- Keywords
- skin cancer, skin cancer education, skin cancer intervention, patient education, digital education
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 280 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National University Hospital, SingaporeUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Skin cancer is a significant public health concern, even in an Asian society like Singapore where it ranks among the top 10 cancers. This RCT tests the effectiveness of a skin cancer educational intervention to improve skin cancer outcomes among skin-of-color individuals, including the effects of gain versus loss framing.
Detailed description
Reducing skin cancer related morbidity and mortality involves two broad domains; (1) Identification and early detection of skin cancers and (2) Awareness and behavioral change to reduce modifiable risk factors like UV exposure. Regular self-examination and public education have been shown in RCTs to improve knowledge and identification of skin cancers. However most of these existing studies and the tools they utilise rely on Western-centric photographs and messaging, such as the 'ABCDE rule' for superficial spreading and nodular melanoma. These neglect skin cancers far more common in skin of colour population such as acral lentiginous melanomas, pigmented basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
In addition to improving detection, effective behavioural change strategies are needed to encourage protective practices such as regular sunscreen use. Message framing has gained interest as a behavioral change technique: gain-framed messages emphasize the benefits of adopting a behavior, while loss-framed messages highlight the negative consequences of not doing so. Although message framing is widely used in health communication, evidence of its effectiveness in promoting skin cancer-related behaviors is unclear.
Effectiveness of our proposed intervention can help to increase adoption of sun protective behaviours, improve detection rates of skin cancer and allow earlier medical intervention, hence reducing morbidity and mortality of skin cancer.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Placebo comparator | Behavioral: Wait-list ControlParticipants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire, and another at the 4 month mark. Access to the intervention for control group participants will only be provided after the 4-month questionnaire is completed. |
| Intervention with gain framing | Experimental | Behavioral: Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framingParticipants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire. Afterwards, they will have access to a website with gain-framed messages emphasising benefits of adopting a behaviour. Thereafter, another competency questionnaire will be administered following completion of material. |
| Intervention with loss framing | Experimental | Behavioral: Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framingParticipants will fill up a baseline competency examination and questionnaire. Afterwards, they will have access to a website with loss-framed messages highlighting consequences of failing to adopt a behaviour. Thereafter, another competency questionnaire will be administered following completion of material. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals aged 16 and above
- Able to read and converse in English
- Able to provide informed consent
- Having the ability to use and interact with a web server or application.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals who have cognitive impairment or decline to participate. There will be no exclusion criteria based on a previous history of skin cancer.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framingThis educational website will feature gain-framing messages, emphasizing the benefits of adopting a behavior, utilising positive language and analogies. The interventional domains are (1) Education on skin cancer risk factors and epidemiology, (2) UV Protection Advice, (3) Skin Self-Examination Techniques and (4) Differentiating benign vs malignant skin conditions. | Behavioural | Intervention with gain framing |
| Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framingThis educational website will feature loss-framing messages, highlight the consequences of failing to adopt a behavior, utilising negative language and analogies. The interventional domains are (1) Education on skin cancer risk factors and epidemiology, (2) UV Protection Advice, (3) Skin Self-Examination Techniques and (4) Differentiating benign vs malignant skin conditions. | Behavioural | Intervention with loss framing |
| Wait-list ControlParticipants in the control group will gain access to the intervention websites after the 4-month questionnaire is completed. | Behavioural | Control |
Primary outcome
Change in competency scores
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Scores measured as percentage of correct questions answered. Range from 0% to 100% with higher score indicating higher ability to differentiate benign from malignant skin lesions. Change in scores will be calculated and compared between 1. Both intervention arms with the control group at 4 months, and 2. Between gain framed and loss framed intervention arms at 4 months
5 secondary outcomes
Knowledge of skin cancer, sun protection and skin self-examination
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Attitudes toward carrying out sun protection behaviours
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Subjective norms, which refer to participants' perception of whether significant individuals in their lives would support sun protection behaviours
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Behavioural outcomes (sun protection behaviour and skin self-examination)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Intentions of participants toward carrying out skin cancer risk prevention strategies
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. IPD shared includes de-identified demographics and measures.
Related trials for Skin Cancer
Active, not recruitingPhase 2
Tamoxifen Citrate or Z-Endoxifen Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic, Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Recurrent Breast Carcinoma, Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v7
Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Community Based Strategies for Early Detection of Melanoma
Melanoma
Active, not recruitingPhase 3
Dabrafenib and Trametinib Followed by Ipilimumab and Nivolumab or Ipilimumab and Nivolumab Followed by Dabrafenib and Trametinib in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV BRAFV600 Melanoma
Clinical Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8, Clinical Stage IV Cutaneous Melanoma AJCC v8
RecruitingPhase 1/2
A Study to Evaluate the Effect of GDC-4198 Alone and in Combination With Giredestrant Versus Abemaciclib and Giredestrant in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Estrogen Receptor-Positive (ER+), Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Negative (HER2-) Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Not yet recruiting
Podcast-Based Psychosocial Support for Women Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ellie Choi, MBBS principal investigator
National University Hospital, Singapore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with gain-framing and Skin Cancer Self-Detection Educational Program with loss-framing in people with Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer Prevention, run by National University Hospital, Singapore at 1 site in Singapore.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Singapore. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ellie Choi, MBBS (65 6908 2222, dermresearchec@nuhs.edu.sg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in competency scores (time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (for intervention arms), 4 months post-intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2026.