Developing and Testing Message Strategies to Reduce Indoor Tanning

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy B. Jordan ◽  
Amy Bleakley ◽  
Julia M. Alber ◽  
DeAnn Lazovich ◽  
Karen Glanz
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
White Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Indoor Tanning ◽  
Skin Cancer Risk ◽  
Argument Strength ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Message Strategies

Objectives: Indoor tanning, which is most common among 18-25-year-old white women, increases the risk of skin cancer. To address this problem, we developed and tested messages with a national sample of indoor tanners to determine beliefs that would encourage them to quit. Methods: Messages discouraging indoor tanning using different persuasive themes (skin cancer risk, appearance risk, well-being enhancement) were developed based on formative research and a review of intervention efforts. We conducted an online experiment to test the final messages with a national sample of 480 indoor tanners. Results: Messages that emphasized skin cancer risk out-performed messages that focused on well-being enhancement or damage to appearance in terms of intention to quit indoor tanning. Analyses revealed 2 key mediators: perceived argument strength and beliefs related to the effects of indoor tanning. Conclusions: Theory- and evidence-informed public health communications can contribute to improving health-related behaviors. Focusing on the risk of skin cancer may be the most effective strategy to reduce indoor tanning among young white women.

scholarly journals Health Beliefs About UV and Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 107327481989400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Julian ◽  
Sheryl Thorburn ◽  
G. John Geldhof
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Indoor Tanning ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Skin Cancer Risk ◽  
Sunscreen Use

Our purpose was to examine the beliefs of college students about UV exposure and sunscreen use and their associations with skin cancer risk and protective behaviors in a cloudy climate. The sample was online survey participants (N = 334) recruited from a large university in Oregon. After fitting an initial measurement model, we fit a structural equation model including Health Beliefs About UV (HBAU) subscales ( Health Benefits of Tanning, Seasonal Effects, Tanning Through the Winter, and Sunscreen Toxicity), outcome variables (sunscreen use, indoor tanning, and outdoor tanning), and covariates (eg, tanning and sunscreen use). A minority of participants held the beliefs represented by 3 HBAU subscales, but beliefs about negative health effects of the local weather ( Tanning Through the Winter) were common. The measurement and adjusted models provided good fit to the data (χ2 = 143.30; P = .29; df = 136; Root-Mean Square Error of Approximation = .014; Comparative Fit Index = .992; Tucker-Lewis Index = .981). After adjusting for covariates, Sunscreen Toxicity predicted reduced sunscreen use (β = −.12, P = .021), Health Benefits of Tanning predicted outdoor tanning (β = .43, P < .001), and Tanning Through the Winter predicted indoor tanning (β = .31, P = .02). The small sample size, nonresponse rate, and cross-sectional nature of this study mean these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Beliefs about health benefits of sun exposure, the regional weather, and sunscreen safety play a role in skin cancer risk and protective behaviors.

scholarly journals Does Better Media Literacy Protect Against the Desire for Tanned Skin and Propensity for Making Appearance Comparisons?

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 205630512090536
Author(s):  
John Mingoia ◽  
Amanda D. Hutchinson ◽  
David H. Gleaves ◽  
Carlene Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Cancer Risk Factors ◽  
Literacy Interventions ◽  
Skin Cancer Risk ◽  
Health Related

Media literacy interventions provide education about the way media influence attitudes to tanned skin and promote risky health-related behaviors (e.g., sun exposure). This study tested whether higher levels of media literacy can protect against the internalization of a tanned ideal and participation in appearance comparisons online. A total of 151 young Australians aged 18 to 29 years (61 males, 90 females) completed a measure of media literacy before being randomly assigned to view photos of models with either tanned ( n = 77) or pale skin ( n = 74) on social media. Participants completed measures of internalization of a tanned ideal and tendency to make appearance comparisons following exposure to the photos. There were significant negative relationships between level of media literacy skills and both internalization of a tanned ideal and appearance comparisons. Moreover, exposure to tanned models resulted in a higher tendency to make appearance comparisons than exposure to pale models. Results indicate that media literacy skills protect against skin cancer risk factors associated with media exposure. Future interventions to reduce skin cancer risk should address the role of social networking sites in proclaiming tanned skin as ideal and increase skepticism about photos of tanned models online.

scholarly journals Photosensitizing Medications and Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Cancers ◽  
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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