Oral Presentation Australasian Melanoma Conference 2026

Embedding skin cancer prevention in melanoma screening: SunSmart in ACEMID pilot results (#81)

Anna Nicholson 1 2 , Emma Glassenbury 1 , Helen Dixon 1 3 , Mathili Sashindranath 4 , Sam Pokinghorne-Katz 4 5 , Alison Button-Sloan 6 7 , Shannon Jones 1 , Jen Cheung 4 5 , Victoria Mar 4 5
  1. Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  3. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  5. Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Melanoma Research Victoria – Consumer Reference Group, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  7. Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials – Consumer Advisory Panel, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

Every year, 2,000 Australians lose their life to skin cancer, and melanoma diagnoses are projected to increase. To address this, the federal government has funded a roadmap towards a targeted melanoma screening program. The roadmap presents an opportunity to embed primary skin cancer prevention in skin cancer screening and early detection (secondary prevention). Cancer screening presents a window of heightened motivation to reduce future risk. Following review of the evidence and barriers to implementation, we designed a brief SunSmart intervention with input from health service staff and consumers. We then conducted a pilot study to test acceptability and feasibility.

Methods

The pilot feasibility study was nested in the Australian Centre for Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID) cohort study at Alfred Health. The SunSmart intervention involved brief personalised advice, delivered by nursing staff to 53 participants scheduled for skin imaging appointments in the 2024-25 summer period, followed by 8-weeks of text messages. We used a mixed-methods evaluation approach, integrating process data with survey responses and qualitative data from intervention participants and providers. Survey questions were structured around Sekhon’s acceptability framework for healthcare interventions.

Results

Overall, the SunSmart in ACEMID pilot was highly acceptable to recipients and providers. The intervention's practicality, integration into existing appointments, and low burden design were key to its success. Whilst the content did not always provide new learning, most participants (70%) agreed it motivated them to increase their sun protection. Participants reported increased use of the UV Index, more consistent adoption of sun protection behaviours targeted in the personalised advice, and sharing information with others. Areas for improvement included enhanced and more automated personalisation.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated it is feasible and acceptable to deliver a brief skin cancer prevention intervention during skin cancer screening. Work is underway to refine the message content to empower diverse audiences to improve their sun protection, and to use AI to enhance and automate the personalisation of the script and text messages. Planning for a clinical trial to test effectiveness of each personalised skin cancer prevention intervention is underway.