Likelihood of Dermatology Patients to Inquire about Sun Protection Measures during a Regular Clinic Visit

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 266-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon W. Jung ◽  
Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan ◽  
Thomas G. Salopek

Background: Health information-seeking behavior refers to ways individuals acquire health information. Few studies demonstrate its association with skin cancer. Objectives: To determine the likelihood of patients to inquire about sun protection methods from dermatologists and whether such knowledge will affect their preventive behaviors. Methods: Over a 2-month period, 396 dermatology patients completed a survey assessing their sun awareness knowledge and inquiry about sun protection measures. Features associated with increased skin cancer risk were correlated with patients' inquiry about sun protection information and their future intentions to practice safe sun behavior. Results: One in seven patients (13.8%) inquired about sun protection measures. Patients with features known to be associated with increased skin cancer risk infrequently inquired about sun protection methods (4.5–23.8%). Post–physician counseling, patients with previous sun awareness education had a greater intention to use sunscreen routinely (41.4% vs 28.3%, p = .01), avoid the sun (31.2% vs 18.2%, p = .004), and wear sun-protective clothing (32.5% vs 23.2%., p = .05). Conclusion: Patients' desire for medical information from physicians does not translate efficiently into seeking sun awareness information from dermatologists. Dermatologists should play a greater proactive role in skin cancer prevention through initiation of regular personalized discussions on sun awareness issues.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlijn Thoonen ◽  
Liesbeth van Osch ◽  
Rowan Drittij ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Francine Schneider

Sun protection among children is of utmost importance since sunburn in early life is a major risk factor for skin cancer development. Because parents play a vital role in enhancing sun safety among children, this study explored parental perceptions concerning sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and sunburn in children. Additionally, the context in which children experience sunburn in order to assist the development, optimization, and targeting of sun safety interventions for parents is revealed.A qualitative study design, using a semi-structured interview guide addressing several themes (e.g. sun exposure, sun protection, and sunburn experiences), was used. Data were collected in the Netherlands in the fall of 2019. Parents were recruited via purposive sampling at schools, youth services centers, and social media. In total, 26 interviews were performed. Execution, transcription, and coding of the interviews was done by two researchers, using the qualitative analyzing program Nvivo (interrater reliability of d =.84). Comprehensive findings concerning various themes were retrieved. It was found that sunburn was frequently prevalent among children, even though all parents reported using at least one sun protection measure. Parents were often unaware of their child’s sunburn and its severity. Regarding sun protection measures, parents demonstrated an overreliance on sunscreen, often failing to adequately protect their children’s skin. Water-related activities, a lack of shade, and lack of knowledge regarding UV-index were often related to sunburn. Moreover, unexpected sun exposure or longer exposure duration than initially planned were reported as challenging situations. The majority of parents had positive perceptions regarding tanned skin for both themselves as for children.This study provides directions for future skin cancer prevention efforts targeted at both parents and their children. Since a lack of knowledge regarding sufficient sun protection measures and sunburn occurrence in various situations was reported, educational efforts are warranted. Additionally, focusing on clothing, shade-seeking, and adequate sunscreen use is recommended to increase children’s sun safety. By intervening in the physical environment as well (e.g. providing shady areas), sun protection barriers can be reduced. Lastly, the general positive attitude toward tanned skin evident in this study is certainly worthy of attention in future interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 993-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahya Mahamat-Saleh ◽  
Iris Cervenka ◽  
Marie Al Rahmoun ◽  
Isabelle Savoye ◽  
Francesca Romana Mancini ◽  
...  

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.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois J Loescher ◽  
Kelly M Heslin ◽  
Laura A Szalacha ◽  
Graciela E Silva ◽  
Myra L Muramoto

BACKGROUND Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, is costly and potentially deadly. Its burden can be reduced by early detection and prevention activities. The scope of skin cancer requires going beyond traditional health care providers to promote risk reduction. Partnering with the nonbiomedical workforce, such as massage therapists (MTs), may reach more individuals at risk. MTs see much of their clients’ skin and are amenable to performing skin cancer risk reduction activities during massage appointments. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to describe the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education protocol, presenting an overview of our systematic approach to developing rigorous e-training for MTs to enable them to be partners in skin cancer risk reduction. We also describe procedures for usability and feasibility testing of the training. METHODS We developed an integrated electronic learning system that includes electronic training (e-training) technology, simulated client interactions, online data collection instruments, and in-person assessment of MTs’ application of their training. RESULTS A total of 20 participants nationally scored the e-training as high for usability and satisfaction. We have screened an additional 77 MTs in Arizona for interest and eligibility, and currently have 37 enrolled participants, of whom 32 have completed the Web-based training. CONCLUSIONS The structured and rigorous development approach for this skin cancer risk reduction and brief behavioral intervention e-training for MTs begins to fill a gap in skin cancer risk reduction research. Iterative usability testing of our asynchronous Web-based training resulted in positive participant response. Our e-training approach offers greater learner accessibility, increased convenience, and greater scalability than the few existing programs and has the potential to reach many MTs nationally. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13480


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Ruppert ◽  
Brian Køster ◽  
Anna Maria Siegert ◽  
Christian Cop ◽  
Lindsay Boyers ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Lois J. Loescher, PhD, RN ◽  
Amy L. Howerter, PhD ◽  
Kelly M. Heslin, MPH ◽  
Christina M. Azzolina, MPH ◽  
Myra L. Muramoto, MD, MPH

Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US. Training massage therapists (MTs) in skin cancer prevention and detection cre-ates opportunity for reducing skin cancer burden. Little is known about MTs’ perceptions of skin cancer prevention and detection, their discussions of these topics with clients, or their referral recom-mendations for suspicious skin lesions. Purpose: We surveyed MTs’ perceptions of their role in engaging in conversations about skin cancer prevention, viewing the skin for suspicious lesions, and referring clients with such lesions to health care providers.Setting, Participants, Research Design: We ad-ministered an online survey from 2015–2017 of licensed MTs practicing in the US and at least age 21 years (n = 102); quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed in 2017.Main Outcome Measures: The main variables assessed were MTs perceptions of (a) appropriate-ness for asking clients about skin cancer history, skin cancer prevention, suspicious lesion referral and follow-up; and (b) comfort with recognizing and discussing suspicious lesions, recommending a client see a doctor for suspicious lesion, and discussing skin cancer prevention.Results: Quantitative data revealed that most MTs were amenable to discussing skin cancer prevention during appointments; few were en-gaging in these conversations. MTs were more comfortable discussing suspicious lesions and recommending that a client see a doctor than they were sharing knowledge about skin cancer and sun safety. Categories based on qualitative content analysis were: sharing information for the client’s benefit, and concerns about remaining within scope of practice.Conclusions: MTs have boundaries for skin cancer risk-reduction content to include in a client discussion and remain in their scope of practice. These findings will help support a future educa-tional intervention for MTs to learn about and incorporate skin cancer risk-reduction messages and activities into their practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlijn Thoonen ◽  
Liesbeth van Osch ◽  
Rowan Drittij ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Francine Schneider

Sun protection among children is of utmost importance since sunburn in early life is a major risk factor for skin cancer development. Because parents play a vital role in enhancing sun safety among children, this study explored parental perceptions concerning sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and sunburn in children. Additionally, the context in which children experience sunburn in order to assist the development, optimization, and targeting of sun safety interventions for parents is revealed. A qualitative study design, using a semi-structured interview guide addressing several themes (e.g., sun exposure, sun protection, and sunburn experiences), was used. Data were collected in the Netherlands in the fall of 2019. Parents were recruited via purposive sampling at schools, youth services centers, and social media. Execution, transcription, and coding of the interviews was done by two researchers, using the qualitative analyzing program Nvivo (interrater reliability of d = 0.84). In total, 26 interviews were performed (n = 17 mothers, n = 17 daughters, aged between 4 and 11 years). Parental perceptions and recall of their child's lifetime sunburn were frequent, even though all parents reported using at least one sun protection measure during sun exposure situations and parents seemed often unaware of their child's sunburn. Moreover, parents reported an overreliance on sunscreen, often failing to adequately protect their children's skin. Water-related activities, a lack of shade, and misconceptions regarding UV-index were often related to sunburn. In addition, unexpected sun exposure or longer exposure duration than initially planned were reported as challenging situations. The majority of parents had positive perceptions regarding tanned skin for both themselves as for children. This study provides directions for skin cancer prevention efforts targeted at both parents and their children. Since a lack of knowledge regarding sufficient sun protection measures and sunburn occurrence in various situations was reported, educational efforts are warranted. Additionally, focusing on clothing, shade-seeking, and adequate sunscreen use is recommended to increase children's sun safety. By intervening in the physical environment as well (e.g., providing shady areas), sun protection barriers can be reduced. Lastly, the general positive attitude toward tanned skin evident in this study is certainly worthy of attention in future interventions.


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