Partners of individuals with stage 0 IIB melanoma can play a valuable role helping with skin self examination (SSE), according to a randomized trial of 494 patients involving 4 and 12 month follow-up visits.

Patients and partners were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups:

• In-person

• Take-home booklet

• Interactive tablet personal computer intervention

• Treatment-as-usual

Investigators measured self-reported SSE of the total body, and easy-to-see and difficult-to-see areas at baseline, 4, and 12 months.

All three interventions were significantly higher than treatment-as-usual at 4 and 12 months. Additionally, average body area examined in the treatment-as-usual group at both follow-ups were significantly less than in the other three groups.

Investigators concluded that partner-assisted SSE can help with early detection in those with a history of melanoma.

Citation: Turrisi R, Hultgren B, Mallett K, et al. Comparison of Efficacy of Differing Partner-Assisted Skin Examination Interventions for Melanoma Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(9):945-951.