A study using the ASICA app to help people who have had treatment for melanoma (ASICA Optimization Project)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking at improving the ASICA melanoma 
to better support people to check their skin monthly.
It is for people who have had treatment for melanoma that hadn’t spread and there have been no signs of it since. It will also involve some healthcare professionals.
Cancer Research UK supports this study.
More about this trial
The ASICA app was designed as an application to use on a computer tablet a few years ago. The purpose of the app was to help people who had melanoma treatment to do regular check ups of their skin. It alerts people that it’s time to check their skin and reminds them how to do it with animated videos. If they find something concerning on their skin, they can send a photograph and a text describing it. This goes to a specialist who will check it over and get back to them. This means they can see their doctor at the earliest stage and get treatment if necessary.
Most people liked using the app. A small number of people struggled to use it or seemed less able to keep to the monthly schedule. And some people couldn’t provide clear photographs and enough information for the specialist to be able to review immediately.
So researchers are looking at ways to improve the app and upgrade it to a smartphone application. They are also looking at adding in a chatbot. This is a computer programme behaving as though someone is texting you back. It helps to make sure that ASICA always collects all the information that the specialist needs. And that the photos of the skin are as clear as possible.
The main aim of the study is to develop and improve the ASICA app to better support people to check their skin monthly.
Please note, you might not get any direct benefit from this study. The information might help people who have treatment for melanoma in the future.
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:
- have had treatment for melanoma in the last 5 years
- had melanoma that was only in the skin. This is melanoma insitu, stage 1 or stage 2 melanoma.
- are at least 18 years old
- can read and speak English well
The team are also looking for healthcare professionals to join the study. You can join if you are involved in the care of people with melanoma. Or if you work in healthcare and have an interest in this area.
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:
- had melanoma that had spread to
lymph nodes or other parts of the body. This is stage 3 or stage 4 melanoma - have melanoma that has come back in the last 2 years
- are blind or have a significant problem with your eyes
Trial design
This study is taking place in the UK. The team need the following people to join:
- 75 people who have had treatment for melanoma
- 30 healthcare professionals
There are 2 tasks in the study:
- a series of workshops to try and improve the app (task 1)
- testing these improvements to see what people think about them (task 2)
When the workshops in task 1 are all complete, then task 2 will begin.
The team send you information about the topics, location and timing of each workshop a few weeks in advance.
- Workshop 1 looks at barriers to skin checking.
- Workshop 2 focuses on reviewing and testing a demonstration of the app to work out how easy it is to use.
- Workshop 3 explores ways to improve the app and discuss potential future changes.
- Workshop 4 looks at how the doctor and patient interact in the app.
- Workshop 5 examines the chatbot and how it works.
At each workshop the team will show you how the ASICA app currently works. You will then be invited to take part in a series of interactive activities. You work together to find out how ASICA can be improved. The improvements the team make during these workshops will be built into the upgraded ASICA app.
The researchers will audio record the activities at the workshops. This is so they can take clear notes. They might ask to take some photographs of your skin for future research if you had melanoma. You can say no to this if you don’t want to.
They might also ask to contact you again to take part in future research or studies if suitable.
Task two
Task two is only for people who have had melanoma. You use the new version of ASICA that was developed in task one. You download the app onto your smartphone and use it for six months. A text message invites you to use the app at least once a month. It reminds you to check your skin, take photos of any areas you are worried about and upload them to the app. The app will record how you are using it.
At the end of the 6 months, the team will ask you about your experiences of using the app. You can choose to do this over the telephone or online on a video call. A member of the study team will ask you what you think about ASICA and if you want to suggest any changes. They will ask to audio record this session.
There will be a final workshop at which users can share their experiences.
The team may ask you to take some photographs of your skin. If you agree they will store these to use in future research. They might ask to contact you again to take part in future research or studies if suitable.
Hospital visits
You won’t have any extra hospital visits as part of your routine care if you take part in this study.
Side effects
The team don’t expect there will be any side effects as a result of taking part in this study.
It is possible that taking part could show up some worrying skin changes. If this happens the team will advise you to contact your GP and the healthcare team looking after your skin.
Location
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Professor Peter Murchie
Supported by
Cancer Research UK
University of Aberdeen
Other information
The team have published the results from the ASICA pilot study. Please note, the results are not in plain English. They have been written for healthcare professionals and researchers.
Total skin self-examination at home for people treated for cutaneous melanoma: development and pilot of a digital intervention
P Murchie and others
BMJ Open, 2015. Volume 5, issue 8.
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
