Skin care behaviors among melanoma survivors. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • INTRODUCTION: Clinical recommendations for survivors of melanoma generally include skin care behaviors, including regular physician and skin self-examination to identify any recurrences or second primary disease early, as well as sun protection. We measured skin care behaviors in a population-based sample of melanoma survivors. METHODS: Melanoma survivors were approached through the regional National Cancer Institute-funded cancer registry (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) and recruited to this study with a response rate of approximately 75%, for a total sample of n = 313. RESULTS: The sample was 99% Caucasian, 56% female, 44% male, 81% married, 62% college educated, and 48% with an income over 70 K annually, with an average age of 56 years. Over the last 7 days, a total of 45% reported wearing sunscreen, 59% reported wearing long sleeves, 80% reported wearing pants, 35% reported wearing something on the head, and 36% stayed in available shade. Skin self-examination behaviors were reported at relatively low frequencies, with only 22% performing a thorough check on skin. A total of 88% of survivors reported that their physician checked their skin in the past few years by having all clothes removed. A multivariate analysis using logistic regression indicated that perceived risk was positively related to having the skin checked by a medical provider but no other skin protection behaviors. Gender effects were also detected for wearing sunscreen and wearing a hat or scarf. DISCUSSION: Data indicate that melanoma survivors are performing sun protection behaviors to a moderate extent. Future studies can address barriers to consistent use of these behaviors in melanoma survivors.

publication date

  • July 21, 2011

Research

keywords

  • Health Behavior
  • Melanoma
  • Skin Care
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Survivors

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84870560693

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/pon.2017

PubMed ID

  • 21780240

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 21

issue

  • 12