TEACH Study Supports Remote Interventions to Improve Skin Cancer Screening After HCT
By: Julia Cipriano, MS, CMPP
Posted: Monday, August 31, 2026
Remotely delivered patient activation and education (PAE)—which requires modest resources—may meaningfully improve skin cancer screening among recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), based on results from the TEACH study published in JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. According to Saro H. Armenian, DO, MPH, of City of Hope, Duarte, California, the addition of physician-directed components further increased physician-performed screening.
“This study supports a multilevel, scalable approach to improve early detection and reduce cancer burden in medically vulnerable populations,” the investigators commented.
Adult recipients of HCT received remotely delivered print materials and 12 educational text messages over a 9-month period as part of the PAE intervention. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the PAE group (n = 351 in the baseline analysis; 287 in the 12-month analysis) or PAE plus physician activation group (n = 369 in the baseline analysis; 313 in the 12-month analysis), in which providers additionally received educational materials and guidance on performing skin examinations.
The proportion of participants reporting both a physician-performed skin examination and skin self-examination increased in both groups, rising from 15.8% to 47.5% in the PAE group (odds ratio [OR] = 4.98) and from 18.0% to 52.1% in the PAE plus physician activation group (OR = 5.49); however, the investigators reported no significant between-group difference. Skin self-examination increased from 34.7% to 81.5% in the PAE group and from 31.5% to 79.0% in the PAE plus physician activation group, with no significant between-group difference detected. In the PAE group, physician-performed skin examinations increased from 32.1% to 55.3%, and, in the PAE plus physician activation group, from 33.2% to 64.8%; a significantly greater increase was observed in the latter group (P = .01).
The mean number of body regions examined increased by more than twofold in both groups. Significant improvements were observed in skin cancer knowledge and self-efficacy.
Disclosure: Dr. Armenian reported no conflicts of interest. For full disclosures of the other study authors, visit jnccn.org.
