Skin cancer prevention and detection by nurses: attitudes, perceptions, and barriers.
BACKGROUND
To examine attitudes and perceptions of nurses with respect to skin cancer prevention and detection; to identify barriers to skin cancer prevention and detection by nurses.


METHODS
Descriptive survey of 457 nurses from the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners in 1997.


RESULTS
Eighty-nine percent of the nurses reported that skin cancer was a serious problem, and 97% believed that many people were at risk. More than 89% stated that skin cancer prevention/detection would benefit patients, and 94% believed that such skills would benefit nurses. Eighty-four percent reported that it was in their scope of practice to teach skin cancer prevention to patients, and 61% stated that it was in their scope of practice to detect skin cancer in patients. Barriers to skin cancer prevention and detection included lack of national guidelines (69%), low priority among doctors (63%), and the belief that patients should take full responsibility for prevention (50%). Barriers to continuing education for skin cancer screening included lack of money (43%), not knowing how to obtain education (41%), time away from work (36%), and time away from home (26%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings may suggest that nurses can play a role in skin cancer prevention and detection.
Christos
Paul J
PJ
Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. pac2001@med.cornell.edu
Oliveria
Susan A
SA
Mâsse
Louise C
LC
McCormick
Laura K
LK
Halpern
Allan C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000592:standards*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013781:Texas