title: Prevalence and correlates of sun protection and skin self-examination practices among cutaneous malignant melanoma survivors.
abstract: Little is known about the level of engagement and correlates of sun protection and skin self-exam among individuals diagnosed with melanoma. Participants (N = 229) completed measures of skin self-exam and sun protection practice and knowledge and attitudes. Approximately eighty-four percent of patients reported engaging in skin self-examination at least once in the past year. Engagement in sun protection practices was moderate. Self-exam practice was associated with gender, physician recommendation about self-exam, and perceived benefits and barriers of self-exam. Sun protection was associated with gender, age, medical status and health care access, physician recommendation, knowledge, and a number of psychological factors. Behavioral interventions to improve skin surveillance and sun protection may benefit from an emphasis on physician education regarding self-exam and sun protection, education regarding the efficacy of sunscreen and the risks associated with sunbathing, reducing perceived barriers to self-exam and sun protection, and reducing reliance on social influences on sun protection practices.
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center, P1100, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Sharon.Manne@fccc.edu
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manne
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lessin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006370:Heliotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012867:Skin; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents