683 A qualitative exploration of melanoma awareness in black communities

People with skin of color are more likely to have advanced melanomas at diagnosis, strikingly lower 5-year melanoma survival rates among Black (70%) compared white patients (92%). Yet, survey data suggests many people not been provided health information about cancer. We sought explore people’s perspectives on risk using in-depth qualitative interviewing. conducted 26 semi-structured interviews (July–August 2021) over video or telephone individuals self-identifying as African American. an inductive thematic analysis the full interview transcripts. Of participants, 12 were male and 14 female, average age 43 years (range 18-85). Participants from 11 different states. The following key themes extracted:1) Lack understanding term ‘melanoma’: participants did know that was a type cancer, responses including ‘that’s nice science term’ ‘melanoma does register’. 2) Do feel melanoma: most developing melanoma, one explaining ‘I’ve never known anyone cancer’. Misconceptions role sun exposure pervasive. 3) Surprise can occur palms, soles nails: ‘shocked’ hear nail beds common sites for in people. 4) Skin cancer awareness messages don’t apply include people:one participant explained recalling they had seen ‘I thought it pertained me ‘cause would always be like, you know, people’. highlight need focused designed specifically communities. delineate two messaging: 1) people; high-risk beds.