Preventing ultraviolet light lip injury: beachgoer awareness about lip cancer risk factors and lip protection behavior.
BACKGROUND
The damaging effects of ultraviolet light (UVL) on the skin and the importance of using photoprotective sunscreen and other sun-protective measures are well recognized by beachgoers. However, it is currently unknown if UVL is well recognized as a modifiable risk factor for lip cancer and if photoprotective lipblock and sunscreen are used to the same extent in this setting.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of UVL lip protection and knowledge about the role of UVL as a risk factor for lip cancer in a high-risk outdoor environment.


METHODS
Anonymous questionnaire given to a convenience sample of beachgoers on Galveston Island, Texas, beaches during the summer.


RESULTS
There were 299 survey responses. Subjects using sunscreen to protect their skin were also more likely to use UVL lip protection (p = .0002). Excluding the use of cosmetic lipsticks, women were still more likely to use UVL lip protection than men (p = .0008). Tobacco users were less likely to use lip protection than nontobacco users (p = .03). Survey respondents demonstrated much greater knowledge about UVL damage to skin than about the risk factors for lip cancer (p < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
More public education focused on UVL lip protection from UVL is needed.
Busick
Thomas L
TL
Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0783, USA.
Uchida
Tatsuo
T
Wagner
Richard F
RF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D013473:Sunscreening Agents