Opportunities for Skin Cancer Prevention Education among Individuals Attending a Community Skin Cancer Screening in a High-Risk Catchment Area

• DOI: 10.1007/s10900-017-0406-8
• Publication Date: 2017-07-27T15:03:32Z
• Authors: Bridget Grahmann ...; Lisa H. Gren; Sara E. Simonsen; Garrett Harding; Douglas Grossman; Yelena P. Wu
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Skin Neoplasms; Adolescent; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Mass Screening; Female; Community Health Services; Health Education; Early Detection of Cancer; Aged

Despite the highly preventable nature of skin cancer, it remains the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the United States. Recommendations for a complete skin cancer prevention regimen include engaging in photoprotection (e.g., sunscreen use), avoiding skin cancer risk behaviors (e.g., tanning), and receiving total body skin exams from a health care provider. The current study examined reported engagement in these behaviors among participants attending a community skin cancer screening (N = 319) in a high-risk catchment area to assess the need for increased health education on skin cancer prevention. Participants' responses indicate a history of suboptimal avoidance of skin cancer risk behaviors. Over half of participants (52%) reported four or more blistering sunburns before age 20, and 46% reported indoor tanning at least one during their lifetime. There is a need among this population for education regarding a complete skin cancer prevention regimen, which could improve adherence to photoprotection and avoidance of skin cancer risk behaviors, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality due to skin cancer.