Decreased public awareness of skin cancer during the coronavirus pandemic

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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A Novel Nonparametric Technique for Segmenting Multimode Hyperspectral Images Obtained From Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Lesions

2020 Design of Medical Devices Conference ◽

10.1115/dmd2020-9045 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gamal G. N. Geweid ◽

Fartash Vasefi ◽

Kouhyar Tavakolian

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Imaging System ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Hyperspectral Images ◽

Mohs Surgery ◽

Non Melanoma Skin Cancer ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Experimental Findings ◽

Melanoma Skin

Abstract Keratinocyte Carcinoma, more traditionally known as Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), is the most common cancer in humans. Incidence continues to increase despite increased public awareness of the harmful effects of solar radiation. In this paper, a non-parametric technique based on image registration will be applied to the multimode hyperspectral imaging system to segment Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous cell carcinoma lesions (SCC). The aim is to enhance Mohs surgery by determining the actual borderlines of the desired area in the patient’s images, leading to increased efficiency and efficacy of the Mohs surgery. The proposed algorithm was applied to four sets of different Multimode hyperspectral Images with Non-Melanoma Skin. The experimental findings showed that the proposed algorithm is effective in Non-Melanoma skin detection. This could lead to improved image-guided excision of cancerous lesions with potential applications in robotic interventions.

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Let’s get rid of cooling sprays

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin ◽

10.1136/dtb.28.10.40 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 40.1-40

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Pharmaceutical Products ◽

Montreal Protocol ◽

Cooling Effect ◽

Suitable Alternative

Growing public awareness that products containing chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs) damage the atmosphere (and so indirectly cause more skin cancer) has led many manufacturers to alter formulations to become more ‘ozone-friendly’. Aerosol ‘pain-relieving’ freeze sprays (PR Spray - Boots; Ralgex Freeze Spray - Beecham) consist almost entirely of CFCs. The cooling effect depends on them, and no suitable alternative has yet been found. Like other pharmaceutical products, they are exempt from the 1987 Montreal Protocol limiting the use of CFCs.

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Public Awareness and Behaviour in Great Britain in the Context of Sunlight Exposure and Vitamin D: Results from the First Large-Scale and Representative Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186924 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6924 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kevin Burchell ◽

Lesley E. Rhodes ◽

Ann R. Webb

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Great Britain ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Large Scale ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Sunlight Exposure ◽

Representative Survey ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Messages

In recent years, UK public health messages about the risks of sunlight exposure (skin cancer) have been increasingly balanced by messages about its benefits (vitamin D production). Currently, data about the effects of this shift on public knowledge, awareness, and behaviour are scant. Thus, the objective of this paper is to report the findings of the first large-scale and representative survey of the awareness, knowledge, and behaviour of adults in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) (n = 2024) with respect to sunlight exposure, vitamin D, and sunburn and skin cancer. The findings suggest that the public in Great Britain is much more aware of public promotion of the risks of sunlight exposure than its benefits. That said, knowledge about sunlight exposure and vitamin D is fairly strong, though not with respect to the detail of the ‘little and often’ approach. However, the survey also suggests that levels of sunlight exposure among the public are often excessive. The survey indicates that knowledge and behaviour are both less satisfactory among men and people in lower socio-economic groups. The paper concludes with recommendations for public health communications and for research in this area.

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Solidarity and Voluntarism Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Skin Cancer Screening for Blood Donors

Dermatology Practical & Conceptual ◽

10.5826/dpc.1103a80 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2021080

Author(s):

Katerina Grafanaki ◽

Sophia Georgiou ◽

Alexander J Stratigos

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Social Protection ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Public Awareness ◽

International Health ◽

Policy Action ◽

Skin Cancer Screening

Many of the volunteer activities required to raise public awareness on skin cancer screening and prevention are supported by dermatological societies and volunteer dermatologists, and are framed by substantial voluntary groups, often not sufficiently credited for their contribution, including blood donors and Red Cross Samaritans. We herein propose that amid the ongoing pandemic, skin cancer screening and blood donations must not be disrupted with attention paid to patient safety foremost. Although efforts over the last decade have led to a significant reduction in skin cancer, ongoing activities have been suspended and, in many cases, disrupted since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread has created a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. International Health systems are burdened, and patients ignore symptoms and evade specialist visits due to contamination fear of coronavirus, resulting in a 68.61% reduction in skin cancer diagnoses. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has also major implications for blood transfusion. Currently, there are uncertain patterns of demand, and transfusion institutions need to plan for reductions in donations and loss of crucial staff because of sickness and public health restrictions. Supporting volunteer blood donors through voluntary skin cancer screening could be an excellent initiative, bringing people together, giving us the opportunity to abandon the illusion of power and admit our weakness to the ongoing pandemic. Most of us have not worked through pandemics before but it is time to embrace humanity and solidarity via volunteering, with no profit aims but with social goals of equal skin cancer screening opportunities of vitally important volunteer blood donors, encouraging blood donation. In light of a change in dermatology practice, investing in prevention strategies in public health and social protection is the mark of responsible policy action.

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“It is more than just Sunscreen”: Analyzing skin cancer narratives on Instagram (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.34940 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Basma Gomaa ◽

Rebecca Fagen Houghton ◽

Nicole Crocker ◽

Eric Walsh-Buhi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Social Media ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

The United States ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Cancer Risks ◽

Cancer Society ◽

Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND Skin cancer is among the deadliest forms of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society reported that 3 million skin cancer cases could be avoided every year if individuals are more aware of the risk factors related to sun exposure and other forms of prevention. Social media platforms may serve as potential intervention modalities that can be employed to raise public awareness of several diseases and health conditions, including skin cancer. Social media platforms are efficient, cost-effective tools for health-related content to reach a broad number of individuals who are already using the spaces in their day-to-day personal lives. In 2010, Instagram was launched, and it is now utilized by 1 billion users, of which 90% are under the age of 35 years. Despite previous research highlighting the potentiality of image-based platforms in skin cancer prevention and the popularity of Instagram to raise awareness, yet there is still a lack of studies describing skin cancer-related content on Instagram. OBJECTIVE The current study aims to describe skin cancer-related content on Instagram, including the origin (i.e., source characteristics) and attributes of these social media posts (i.e., content characteristics). The study also seeks to reveal content themes in terms of skin cancer risks, treatment, and prevention. METHODS Through Crowdtangle, a tool owned and operated by Facebook, which tracks engagement of the publicly available content on Facebook pages, subreddits, and Instagram accounts, we retrieved content from publicly available accounts on Instagram for the 30 days preceding May 14, 2021. Out of 1,000 posts reviewed, N=592 (59.2%) met the inclusion criteria and were human coded and analyzed. Two raters coded the posts independently. RESULTS Profiles representing organizations were slightly more common than individual accounts: n=321 vs 256 (54% vs 43%). The type of media included in the posts varied, with posts containing photos occurring more frequently (n=315, 53%), compared to posts containing infographics (n=233, 39%), or videos (n=85, 14%). Melanoma was the most mentioned type of skin cancer (n=252, 43%). Prevention methods were discussed in Instagram posts more often than risk factors (n=404, 68%) vs (n=271, 46%). Only 80 out of 592 posts (14%) provided a citation from a medical source. CONCLUSIONS This study’s findings highlight the potential role of Instagram as a platform for improving awareness of skin cancer risks and the benefits of prevention practices. We believe social media is the most promising venue for researchers and dermatologists to dedicate their efforts and presence in widely reaching the public to educate about skin cancer and empower prevention.

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Sunburn and artificial tanning

Burns (OSH Surgery) ◽

10.1093/med/9780199699537.003.0041 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 347-352

Author(s):

Nick Marsden ◽

Sarah Hemington-Gorse

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Uv Radiation ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Burn Injuries ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

The Media ◽

Artificial Tanning ◽

Harmful Effects

The dangers of sun burn and artificial tanning are increasingly covered by the media, but mostly in relation to the risk of skin cancer. UV radiation both from sun bathing and artificial tanning is an increasing public health concern as a result of acute burn injuries sustained through ignorance or negligence. This chapter highlights the acute harmful effects UV radiation and artificial tanning has on the skin, and summarizes the management in terms of medical and public awareness.

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