KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to investigate sociodemographic disparities in the prevalence of sun protection behaviors among skin cancer survivors.
- Researchers noticed significant sociodemographic variations in sun protection behaviors among 29,523 participants, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions.
Melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer survivors demonstrated comparable overall sun protection behavior (P > .05). However, within the skin cancer survivor group, 36.0% infrequently used sunscreen, 50.2% infrequently wore protective clothing, 47.8% infrequently sought shade, and 30.0% lacked frequent overall sun protection—markedly different from those without a skin cancer history (P< .0001). The prevalence of frequent overall sun protection behavior was notably lower for individuals who were younger at the survey, males, less educated, single or never married, or living in poverty, irrespective of skin cancer history (P < .01).
Daniela L. Domínguez Bueso and her team aimed to access the intricacies of sun protection behaviors among 29,523 participants, including skin cancer survivors and those without skin cancer history.
They performed an inclusive analysis using the 2015 U.S. National Health Interview Survey, encompassing 29,523 participants. Among them, 772 individuals had a history of skin cancer, while 28,751 had no such history. The study evaluated overall and specific sun protection behaviors, specifically examining the prevalence of using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing. To estimate prevalence ratios, the researchers utilized Weighted Poisson regression, allowing for a robust assessment of the associations between sociodemographic factors and sun protection practices within the diverse participant cohort.
Both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer survivors exhibited similar overall sun protection behavior, with no statistically significant difference (p > .05). Among the broader group of skin cancer survivors, distinct patterns emerged in sun protection practices. Specifically, 36.0% of this cohort reported infrequent use of sunscreen, 50.2% infrequently wore protective clothing, 47.8% infrequently sought shade, and 30.0% lacked frequent overall sun protection. These figures significantly contrasted with individuals without a history of skin cancer (P < .0001).
Further analysis revealed that the prevalence of frequent overall sun protection behavior was notably lower among specific demographic groups. This included individuals who were younger at the time of the survey, males, those with lower educational attainment, single or never-married participants, and individuals living in poverty, regardless of their skin cancer history (P< .01).
The study concluded that by identifying subpopulations with a higher prevalence of infrequent sun protection, whether they had a history of skin cancer or not, the findings underscore the need for targeted efforts to reduce sociodemographic disparities in sun protection behaviors. This insight is crucial for promoting primary and tertiary skin cancer prevention strategies, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions to enhance sun-safe practices across diverse demographic groups.
Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12933
Bueso D L D, Ruiz L M G, Márquez L I M, et al. (2023).” Skin cancer survivorship and sun protection behaviors in the United States.” DOI: doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12933.
