Background: This article presents an exploratory study, aiming to explore the correspondence between knowledge, motivation and sun-protection practices during holidays. Methods: Seventeen participants aged 21-62 years old, recruited from community settings took part in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews, completed sun sensitivity questions and an objective assessment of sunscree...

BACKGROUND Malignant melanoma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sun-awareness campaigns increase public knowledge but may not translate into behavioral changes in practice, which is particularly alarming when reported for individuals in high-risk groups. In particular, patients diagnosed with melanoma are at increased risk of developing subsequent primary melanomas co...

INTRODUCTION Numerous countries have launched campaigns regarding sun protection in the last decades. AIM The aim of the present study was to assess an intervention program aimed at higher knowledge and healthier attitudes regarding sun protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 4,133 students aged 8-12 years from a single Greek province. RESULTS In most items, knowledge le...

BACKGROUND Pediatric visits during summer months may be especially opportune times for sun protection counseling for children and their parents. Few data exist on the extent of such counseling. OBJECTIVE To begin to assess this, we surveyed practicing Massachusetts pediatricians to examine current attitudes and practices of sun protection counseling. DESIGN AND SETTING Surveys mailed to Mas...

INTRODUCTION Sun exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer, but without physical activity, children are at risk of childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to explore relationships between parental perceptions of skin cancer threat, sun protection behaviors, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) in children. METHODS This is a cross-sectional analysis nested within the C...

Australian adolescents are consistently found to exhibit low levels of adherence to sun protection guidelines, resulting in high levels of skin cancer incidence in later life. Given the importance of image, appearance, and peer approval factors in adolescent sun protection, this study sought to examine adolescents’ perceptions of the “sun protection brand,” its competing brands, and possible co...

The present prospective study evaluated sun exposure and sun protection behaviours in patients diagnosed with a precancerous or cancerous skin lesion. Following signed informed consent, patients were given a questionnaire regarding sun protection and sun exposure behaviour. There were 50 patients (27 men, 23 women) with a mean age of 59 years. Following diagnosis of a cancerous or precancerous ...

OBJECTIVE An analysis of Canadian survey data was performed to identify independent predictors of different protective behaviours and of their use in combination. METHODS Data from light-skinned respondents of the 1996 National Survey on Sun Exposure & Protective Behaviours who spent 30+ minutes per day of their leisure time in the sun (N = 1,027) were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regress...

The role of the mass media in communicating health-related information to the wider population is the focus of this paper. Using the example of sun protection within the UK, we highlight some of the major challenges to raising awareness of steadily increasing melanoma rates and of effective sun protection strategies. The implications of potential barriers to official sun protection messages via...