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Skin Cancer Education for Massage Therapists: A Novel Approach to the Early Detection of Suspicious Lesions

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Abstract

Studies indicate that with training, nonmedical health professionals may be able to successfully recognize lesions suspicious for skin cancer and thereby assist with early detection of suspicious lesions. We present the results of a study aimed at assessing the efficacy of a 4-h continuing education program designed to educate massage therapists about skin cancer detection and prevention. Prior to and after the administration of the course, surveys were administered to attendees to gauge their ability to identify skin cancer and their comfort level with counseling clients with suspicious lesions. Our study suggests that while many massage therapists are educated on skin cancer and have experience referring patients for suspicious lesions, a 4-h educational session may not be sufficient to improve sensitivity of detection.

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References

  1. Bailey EE, Marghoob AA, Orengo IF et al (2011) Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in the salon: a survey of working hair professionals in Houston, Texas. Arch Dermatol 147(10):1159–1165

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Annie Powell and the World Skin Project for providing access to the survey participants and Alan Geller for his help in designing the survey.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Shannon Campbell, Qiong Louie-Gao MSc, Dr. Meghan Hession, and Dr. Deborah Cummins have no disclosures relevant to this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Shannon C. Trotter

  2. Department of Dermatology, Boston University Medical Center, 609 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Qiong Louie-Gao, Meghan T. Hession & Deborah Cummins

Authors
  1. Shannon C. Trotter
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  2. Qiong Louie-Gao
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  3. Meghan T. Hession
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  4. Deborah Cummins
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meghan T. Hession.

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Trotter, S.C., Louie-Gao, Q., Hession, M.T. et al. Skin Cancer Education for Massage Therapists: A Novel Approach to the Early Detection of Suspicious Lesions. J Canc Educ 29, 266–269 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0589-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0589-3

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