The MELAcare Study: A New Method for Surveillance of Melanoma Patients

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

The MelaCare intervention: The primary principles applied will be: * Meta-cognitive strategies and normalization of emotions * Self efficacy related to SSE and knowledge on when to seek a doctor for clinical examination The intervention will include 4 components: * An educational booklet * Doctor consultation to ensure correct SSE skills and compliance to the protocol * 3-5 sessions with a experienced and specially trained melanoma nurse * Use of patients' answers from the Patient Reported Outcome 'Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment - Melanoma' (FACT-M) at the nurse sessions to address current emotional and/or physical sequelae.

Study summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate a new method of follow-up for patients with low and intermediate risk (stages IA-IIA) melanoma. The investigators will compare different tools for patient support and education combined with clinician supported skin self-examination (SSE) to the current standard-of-care. The hypothesis is that meta-cognitive strategies and clinician supported SSE can lower fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and promote effective SSE on a regular basis without compromising the detection of new primary melanomas and/or metastases.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Fear of cancer recurrence — The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.
  The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.
• Fear of cancer recurrence — The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up
  The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.
• Fear of cancer recurrence — The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up
  The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.

Trial sites (1)

More Herlev and Gentofte Hospital trials in Denmark

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