Melatools Apps study: skin self-monitoring app assessment by smartphone users

Thank you for your interest in the MelaTools-Apps study, which is looking at monitoring your moles using your iPhone. The following sections provide information about the purpose of the study and how you could be involved, before inviting you to complete a questionnaire about your skin.

What is the purpose of the study?

We are researching acceptability of smartphone applications (‘apps’) for monitoring moles in people at above-population risk of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. We are asking people between 18 and 75 who own an iPhone 4 or above to join our study. This is part of a larger study aiming to diagnose skin cancer earlier (MelaTools Programme).

What do I have to do to take part?

Follow the links to complete the questionnaire. If you are found to be at ‘normal’ population risk of melanoma, we will thank you for taking part, and suggest websites which give further information about preventing skin cancer. If you are found to be above the ‘normal’ population risk of melanoma but do not wish to take part, we will thank you and suggest websites which give further information about preventing skin cancer; or you could speak to your GP. Your information will be anonymous, unless you are found to be above the ‘normal’ population risk and you decide to leave your contact details to participate in the study. You may then be invited to a workshop in a local general practice. At the workshop you will be given an iTunes voucher, and helped to download five skin self-monitoring apps onto your iPhone. We will ask you to use these apps to monitor three or more pigmented skin lesions over three months. We will send you a monthly text message reminder to use the apps. You will be asked to complete a short diary about using the apps after one and two months, and you will be interviewed at the end of the third month. This can take place where you chose- we are happy to come to your home. It will take up no longer than 45 minutes. It is entirely up to you whether or not to take part, and if you decide to take part, you can still withdraw from the study at any time. We would not ask to see any of your photographs or information if you take part in the study.

What are the potential benefits and disadvantages of taking part?

Although there are no direct benefits to taking part in this study, you may find a mole that concerns you. If this happens, please see your GP to have this mole checked. By taking part, you will be contributing to research that could help patients and doctors in the future.

Who is organising and funding the research?

The study is being organised by researchers at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, and funded by the NHS National Institute for Health Research. The study has been approved by a Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in medical journals, but you will not be identified.

Information about melanoma

Cancer Research UK

Download patient information sheet

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Online consent form

I confirm that I have read and understand the participant information in the previous screen. I have had the chance to think about the information and contact the study team to ask questions.Click to select

 

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason, without my medical care or legal rights being affected. Click to select

 

I understand that the information collected about me will be used to support other research in the future, and may be shared anonymously with other researchers.Click to select

 

By clicking 'I agree' below you are indicating that you are at least 18 years old, have read and understood this consent form, and agree to participate in this research study.

Study co-ordinator: Dr Katie Mills, 01223 746867, ko298@medschl.cam.ac.uk

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Instructions

We will ask whether you have been treated for a skin cancer, and some other questions about your skin.

We will also be asking some questions about you, such as your age, gender and hair colour. At this stage, all your responses will be recorded anonymously - we will not record your name or any details that could identify you.

If you are happy to continue, please touch the Next button below.

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Your gender

Please indicate your gender below by touching the screen

MaleClick to select

FemaleClick to select

 

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Your age in years

Please indicate your age below by touching the screen

Less than 35 yearsClick to select

35-44 yearsClick to select

45-54 yearsClick to select

55-64 yearsClick to select

65-75 yearsClick to select

 

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Hair colour

What was your natural hair colour at the age of 15?

Dark Brown / BlackClick to select

Light BrownClick to select

BlondeClick to select

RedClick to select

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Moles

Look at the skin on your left arm. To do this you may need to remove a sweater or roll up your sleeves. Starting with your shoulder and moving down to the wrist, please look at the moles on your left arm. Of those moles, we would like you to determine how many are raised. A raised mole is a brown or black spot or beauty mark, which may be large or small, which you can feel with your fingertips. Now run your fingertips over your left arm and count any raised moles. Now do the same on your right arm.

Please indicate how many raised moles you have in total on both arms

NoneClick to select

1Click to select

2Click to select

3 or moreClick to select

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Freckles

Freckles are different from moles. They are usually found on the face and shoulders. They are more common in children and those with red hair and fair skin. They fade in the winter months and are more numerous in individuals living closer to the equator.

Before the age of 20, which of the following best describes how many freckles you had on your arms

NoneClick to select

A fewClick to select

SeveralClick to select

A lotClick to select

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What happens to your skin in strong sun?

As a child up to the age of 18, how many sunburns did you have that were so severe that they produced blisters or pain lasting two or more days?

NoneClick to select

1-4Click to select

5-9Click to select

10 or moreClick to select

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Your personal history of skin cancer

There are several types of skin cancer including basal cell cancer (also known as rodent ulcer) and squamous cell cancer. The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma.

Have you ever been told by a doctor you have a melanoma?

YesClick to select

NoClick to select

Have you ever been told by a doctor you have basal cell cancer (BCC), also known as rodent ulcer?

YesClick to select

NoClick to select

Have you ever been told by a doctor you have squamous cell cancer (SCC)?

YesClick to select

NoClick to select

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Your ethnicity

Please indicate your ethnic group

White BritishClick to select

White otherClick to select

Mixed e.g. White and Black AfricanClick to select

Asian or Asian British e.g. Indian, Pakistani, BangladeshiClick to select

Black or Black British e.g. Carribean, AfricanClick to select

ChineseClick to select

Other ethnic groupClick to select

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Your education

Please indicate your highest qualification below, by touching one option on the screen

NoneClick to select

GCSE, O-level or CSEClick to select

Vocational e.g. NVQ, City & GuildsClick to select

A-level or equivalentClick to select

Undergraduate degreeClick to select

Postgraduate degree or professional qualificationClick to select

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Your employment status

Please indicate your current employment status below by touching the screen

RetiredClick to select

StudentClick to select

Unemployed, seeking workClick to select

Unemployed, unable to workClick to select

Working part-timeClick to select

Working full-timeClick to select

Home carer / HomemakerClick to select

Permanently sick or disabledClick to select

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Your living arrangements

Do you live alone?

YesClick to select

NoClick to select

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Where do you live?

Please indicate the first two letters and the number of your postcode. For example, for postcode CB24, you would select CB, then '2' in the middle column and '4' in the last column.

ALClick to select CBClick to select CMClick to select COClick to select IPClick to select LUClick to select MKClick to select NNClick to select NRClick to select PEClick to select RMClick to select SGClick to select SSClick to select

0Click to select 1Click to select 2Click to select 3Click to select 4Click to select 5Click to select 6Click to select 7Click to select 8Click to select 9Click to select

0Click to select 1Click to select 2Click to select 3Click to select 4Click to select 5Click to select 6Click to select 7Click to select 8Click to select 9Click to select N/AClick to select

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