Skin Cancer Risk-Lowering Behaviors and Skincare Habits of Youth Ages 18-25 Years

Young adults are known for feeling invincible and thus engaging in risky behaviors. One such risky behavior is not protecting themselves from the sun, which can cause skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the skin cancer risk-lowering behaviors and skincare habits among youth ages 18 to 25 years. The findings indicated that a high level of knowledge does not equal regular use of risk-lowering behaviors. This study was quantitative, cross-sectional, and non-experimental. The survey, consisting of 20 Likert-type scale statements, was given in a college consisting of about 2000 students of which 120 college undergraduates participated. Orem’s self-care theory was used as a guide for the study. Participants tended to agree that the use of sunscreen would help protect them from getting skin cancer (M=2.88, SD=0.57), and that sunlight causes skin cancer (M=2.80, SD=0.70). Despite having an adequate level of knowledge on skin cancer risk factors, individuals did not follow through with correct risk-lowering behaviors. For risk-lowering behaviors, more than half of the participants regularly used sunscreen when exposed to the sun (M=2.50, SD=0.90), and most never used tanning beds (M=1.20, SD=0.60).

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Cost, reach, and representativeness of recruitment efforts for an online skin cancer risk reduction intervention trial for young adults

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibab047 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carolyn J Heckman ◽

Mary Riley ◽

Olga Khavjou ◽

Pamela Ohman-Strickland ◽

Sharon L Manne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Target Population ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Research Recruitment ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Study Staff ◽

Risk Reduction Intervention ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Despite its increasing use, few studies have reported on demographic representativeness and costs of research recruitment via social media. It was hypothesized that cost, reach, enrollment, and demographic representativeness would differ by social media recruitment approach. Participants were 18–25 year-olds at moderate to high risk of skin cancer based on phenotypic and behavioral characteristics. Paid Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter ads, unpaid social media posts by study staff, and unpaid referrals were used to recruit participants. Demographic and other characteristics of the sample were compared with the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) sample. Analyses demonstrated significant differences among recruitment approaches regarding cost efficiency, study participation, and representativeness. Costs were compared across 4,274 individuals who completed eligibility screeners over a 7-month period from: Instagram, 44.6% (of the sample) = 1,907, $9 (per individual screened); Facebook, 31.5% = 1,345, $8; Twitter, 1% = 42, $178; unpaid posts by study staff, 10.6% and referred, 6.5%, $1. The lowest rates of study enrollment among individuals screened was for Twitter. Most demographic and skin cancer risk factors of study participants differed from those of the 2015 NHIS sample and across social media recruitment approaches. Considering recruitment costs and number of participants enrolled, Facebook and Instagram appeared to be the most useful approaches for recruiting 18–25 year-olds. Findings suggest that project budget, target population and representativeness, and participation goals should inform selection and/or combination of existing and emerging online recruitment approaches.

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Comparison of Skin Cancer Knowledge, Attitude, and Protective Behavior in African American Students in East and West Coasts

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v11i3.1539 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 25-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Catherine Meh ◽

Jasmeet Gill ◽

Danny H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

African American ◽

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

African American Students ◽

The Sun ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

American Students

Purpose and Background: African Americans, in comparison to other ethnic groups, are often diagnosed with melanoma at advanced stages, resulting in low survival rates. One of the strongest risk factors for all types of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV ray intensity is associated with latitude; lower latitudes have stronger UV rays than higher latitudes. This study examines and compares the knowledge, attitude, and protective behavior toward skin cancer among United States African American college students who live in two different latitudes, Maryland and southern California. Methods: We surveyed 360 African American students from two major universities in southern California and Maryland. Students were asked to fill out questionnaires that assessed their knowledge, attitude, and protective behavior regarding sun exposure. Results: More African American students from Maryland knew the direct link between UV/sun radiation exposure and the occurrence of skin cancer (p = 0.02), while those from California were significantly more knowledgeable about skin cancer risk factors such as sunbathing without sunscreen (p ? 0.001). Although students from Maryland were more concerned that exposure to the sun may give them skin cancer (p = 0.003) and more worried about the possibility of skin cancer (p < 0.001), they were less likely to engage in sun protection behaviors such as using sunscreen (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Based on this study, efforts to increase sun protective behaviors through education regarding skin cancer risk factors in Maryland are warranted.

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Photosensitizing Medications and Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13102344 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 2344

Author(s):

Elisabeth A. George ◽

Navya Baranwal ◽

Jae H. Kang ◽

Abrar A. Qureshi ◽

Aaron M. Drucker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

The United States ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Skin Cancer Risk ◽

Number Of Patients

(1) The incidence of skin cancer is increasing in the United States (US) despite scientific advances in our understanding of skin cancer risk factors and treatments. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided evidence that suggests that certain photosensitizing medications (PSMs) increase skin cancer risk. This review summarizes current epidemiological evidence on the association between common PSMs and skin cancer. (2) A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify meta-analyses, observational studies and clinical trials that report on skin cancer events in PSM users. The associated risks of keratinocyte carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) and melanoma are summarized, for each PSM. (3) There are extensive reports on antihypertensives and statins relative to other PSMs, with positive and null findings, respectively. Fewer studies have explored amiodarone, metformin, antimicrobials and vemurafenib. No studies report on the individual skin cancer risks in glyburide, naproxen, piroxicam, chlorpromazine, thioridazine and nalidixic acid users. (4) The research gaps in understanding the relationship between PSMs and skin cancer outlined in this review should be prioritized because the US population is aging. Thus the number of patients prescribed PSMs is likely to continue to rise.

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Mediterranean dietary pattern and skin cancer risk: A prospective cohort study in French women

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqz173 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 110 (4) ◽

pp. 993-1002 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yahya Mahamat-Saleh ◽

Iris Cervenka ◽

Marie Al Rahmoun ◽

Isabelle Savoye ◽

Francesca Romana Mancini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Meat Products ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Future Research ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Skin Cancer Risk

ABSTRACT Background The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been reported to be associated with lower cancer risk. However, while previous studies explored major single components of the MD, only 1 previous study has investigated adherence to the MD in relation to melanoma risk. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the relations between adherence to the MD and the risk of skin cancer, including melanomas, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Design Etude Epidémiologique auprès de femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale (E3N) is a prospective cohort of 98,995 French women aged 40–65 y in 1990. Dietary data were collected via a validated food questionnaire in 1993. Adherence to the MD was assessed using a 9-unit dietary score that incorporates intakes of fruit, vegetables, legumes, cereal products, olive oil, fish, dairy products, meat products, and alcohol. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to compute HRs and 95% CIs adjusted for age and main known skin cancer risk factors. Results From 1993 to 2008, a total of 2003 skin cancer cases were ascertained among 67,332 women, including 404 melanomas, 1367 BCCs, and 232 SCCs. Score of adherence to the MD was associated with lower risk of skin cancer (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.93 for high compared with low score, Ptrend = 0.001). MD score was also inversely and linearly associated with risks of melanoma (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.96; Ptrend = 0.02) and BCC (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.90; Ptrend = 0.0006) but not SCC (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.55; Ptrend = 0.68), although with no heterogeneity across skin cancer types (Pheterogeneity = 0.23). Conclusion These findings suggest that adherence to the MD is associated with a lower skin cancer risk in women, particularly melanoma and BCC. If confirmed in future research, these findings may have important implications in skin cancer prevention.

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