Skin cancer awareness and sunscreen use among outpatients of a South African hospital: need for vigorous public education

Background: Melanoma incidence among white South Africans is increasing. Among black individuals, melanoma is associated with advanced stage at presentation and significant mortality.Objectives: A study was undertaken to assess the perception of skin cancer risk, knowledge of skin cancer, and understanding of the importance and use of sunscreens among South Africans.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in general outpatients over four months at a large central hospital in Durban, South Africa.Results: Only half the white respondents reported regular use of a sunscreen. Among black and Indian respondents, the number was substantially lower. Less than 20% of white respondents had ever checked their skin for suspicious moles. Most black patients were not aware that they are at risk of skin cancer, and only 10% were aware of the risk of developing skin cancers on acral sites and nails.Conclusions: There is a worrying lack of knowledge about skin cancer and sun protection behaviours among all South Africans. Given the increase in melanoma incidence and racial disparities in survival rates, it is imperative to target each population with effective, culturally sensitive educational programmes.

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Hugh Jackman vs. Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Promoting Public Interest in Basal Cell Carcinoma (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17965 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Trevor Torgerson ◽

Jennifer Austin ◽

Jam Khojasteh ◽

Matt Vassar

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Basal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Basal Cell ◽

Moving Average ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Cancer Awareness ◽

Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average

BACKGROUND Public awareness for BCC is particularly important, as its major risk factors — increased sun exposure and number of sunburns — are largely preventable. OBJECTIVE Determine whether social media posts from celebrities has an affect on public awareness of basal cell carcinoma. METHODS We used Google Trends to investigate whether public awareness for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) increased following social media posts from Hugh Jackman. To forecast the expected search interest for BCC, melanoma and sunscreen in the event that each celebrity had not posted on social media, we used the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) algorithm. RESULTS We found that social media posts from Hugh Jackman, a well-known actor, increased relative search interest above the expected search interest calculated using an ARIMA forecasting model. CONCLUSIONS Our results also suggest that increasing awareness by Skin Cancer Awareness Month may be less effective for BCC, but a celebrity spokesperson has the potential to increase awareness. BCC is largely preventable, so increasing awareness could lead to a decrease in incidence.

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The Importance of Skin Cancer Awareness among Hispanics

Journal of Pigmentary Disorders ◽

10.4172/2376-0427.1000205 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 02 (09) ◽

Author(s):

Jhonatan Munoz Espinoza

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Awareness

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Association of Google Search Volume Index Peaks for Skin Cancer With Skin Cancer Awareness Month—Reply

JAMA Dermatology ◽

10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3815 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 152 (1) ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyle T. Amber ◽

Romi Bloom ◽

Shasa Hu

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Volume Index ◽

Cancer Awareness ◽

Search Volume ◽

Google Search

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Skin Cancer Risk Perception and Sunscreen Use in Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes

10.22371/07.2014.018 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Cheryl Butera

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Adolescent Female ◽

Cancer Risk Perception ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Sunscreen Use

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Testing Wearable UV Sensors to Improve Sun Protection in Young Adults at an Outdoor Festival: Field Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/21243 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e21243

Author(s):

Caitlin Horsham ◽

Jodie Antrobus ◽

Catherine M Olsen ◽

Helen Ford ◽

David Abernethy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Field Study ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

The Body ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Uv Sensor ◽

Sunscreen Use ◽

Uv Sensors

Background Australia and New Zealand have the highest skin cancer incidence rates worldwide, and sun exposure is the main risk factor for developing skin cancer. Sun exposure during childhood and adolescence is a critical factor in developing skin cancer later in life. Objective This study aims to test the effectiveness of wearable UV sensors to increase sun protection habits (SPH) and prevent sunburn in adolescents. Methods During the weeklong school leavers outdoor festival (November 2019) at the Gold Coast, Australia, registered attendees aged 15-19 years were recruited into the field study. Participants were provided with a wearable UV sensor and free sunscreen. The primary outcome was sun exposure practices using the SPH index. Secondary outcomes were self-reported sunburns, sunscreen use, and satisfaction with the wearable UV sensor. Results A total of 663 participants were enrolled in the study, and complete data were available for 188 participants (188/663, 28.4% response rate). Participants provided with a wearable UV sensor significantly improved their use of sunglasses (P=.004) and sunscreen use both on the face (P<.001) and on other parts of the body (P=.005). However, the use of long-sleeve shirts (P<.001) and the use of a hat (P<.001) decreased. During the study period, 31.4% (59/188) of the participants reported receiving one or more sunburns. Satisfaction with the wearable UV sensor was high, with 73.4% (138/188) of participants reporting the UV sensor was helpful to remind them to use sun protection. Conclusions Devices that target health behaviors when outdoors, such as wearable UV sensors, may improve use of sunscreen and sunglasses in adolescents.

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A skin cancer prevention photoageing intervention for secondary schools in Brazil delivered by medical students: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018299 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e018299 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Titus Josef Brinker ◽

Bianca Lisa Faria ◽

Martina Gatzka ◽

Olber Moreira de Faria ◽

Markus V Heppt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Mobile App ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Sunscreen Use ◽

Novel Method ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionThe incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other major cancer both in Brazil and worldwide. The Southeast of Brazil has especially high incidences of melanoma, and early detection is low. Exposure to UV radiation represents a primary risk factor for developing melanoma. Increasing attractiveness is a major motivation for adolescents for tanning. A medical student-delivered intervention that harnesses the broad availability of mobile phones as well as adolescents’ interest in their appearance may represent a novel method to improve skin cancer prevention.Methods and analysisWe developed a free mobile app (Sunface), which will be implemented in at least 30 secondary school classes, each with 21 students (at least 30 classes with 21 students for control) in February 2018 in Southeast Brazil via a novel method called mirroring. In a 45 min classroom seminar, the students’ altered three-dimensional selfies on tablets are ‘mirrored’ via a projector in front of their entire class, showing the effects of unprotected UV exposure on their future faces. External block randomisation via computer is performed on the class level with a 1:1 allocation. Sociodemographic data, as well as skin type, ancestry, UV protection behaviour and its predictors are measured via a paper–pencil questionnaire before as well as at 3 and 6 months postintervention. The primary end point is the group difference in the 30-day prevalence of daily sunscreen use at a 6-month follow-up. Secondary end points include (1) the difference in daily sunscreen use at a 3-month follow-up, (2) if a self-skin examination in accordance with the ABCDE rule was performed within the 6-month follow-up and (3) the number of tanning sessions.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Itauna. Results will be disseminated at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT03178240; Pre-results.

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