title: Perceptions and opinions towards skin cancer prevention in Malaysia: a qualitative approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malignant melanoma in particular is one of the few remaining cancers with an increasing incidence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and opinions of young Malaysians towards skin cancer prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions were conducted among 33 medical science students from Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam, Malaysia, using convenience sampling. Students were divided into 4 focus groups consisting of 8, 8, 9 and 8 students respectively. The facilitator wrote down the conversations and data obtained were classified into various categories and analyzed manually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the participants mentioned that overexposure to ultraviolet light is the commonest cause of skin cancer but also that the most benefit we get from sun ight is vitamin D synthesis. The majority mentioned that the best prevention measure for skin cancer is using a sunscreen, followed by limit exposure to the sun.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated there is a lack of knowledge regarding screening methods and prevention measures of skin cancer. Therefore, there is a need to establish health education unit in all universities to educate all university students regarding various health problems including skin cancer prevention.
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Department, International Medical School, Management and Science University, Malaysia. radhwan888@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Redhwan Ahmed
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Al-Naggar
authors.forename: Thekra Hamoud
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Al-Naggar
authors.forename: Yuri V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Bobryshev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents