Daily skin care habits and the risk of skin eruptions and symptoms in cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Cancer patients are at high risk for skin problems because rapidly proliferating skin cells are susceptible to anticancer therapies. However, the effects of daily skin care habits on development of skin problems in cancer patients have rarely been studied.


METHODS
We conducted a survey of daily skin care habits and the presence of skin problems in 866 cancer patients.


RESULTS
Hot water bath>1 h significantly increased the risk of definite eruptions [odds ratio (OR) 4.09] and the risk of itching or pain on the skin (OR 1.73). Diligent use of moisturizers did not decrease the risk of definite eruptions and symptoms, and daily bathing, scrubbing off the skin while bathing, and sun protection did not influence the risk of definite eruptions and symptoms. Subgroup analysis of 183 breast cancer patients showed results similar to the total results, including that hot water bath>1 h significantly increased the risk of definite eruptions (OR 3.41).


CONCLUSIONS
Being a cross-sectional study, our study could not prove causality. However, at the present stage of knowledge, avoidance of hot water baths of protracted duration should be first emphasized in patient education to prevent skin problems in cancer patients.
Skin Cancer/Chemotherapy Skin Care Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul; Department of Dermatology, Seoul, National University College of Medicine, Seoul; Institute of Dermatological Science, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul.
H J
HJ
Byun
Gastric Cancer Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul; Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul. Electronic address: appe98@snu.ac.kr.
H J
HJ
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center, Seoul.
J I
JI
Yang
Skin Cancer/Chemotherapy Skin Care Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul; Department of Dermatology, Seoul, National University College of Medicine, Seoul; Institute of Dermatological Science, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul.
K H
KH
Kim
Center for Cancer Education and Information, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital and Department of Nursing, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul.
K O
KO
Park
Center for Cancer Education and Information, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital and Department of Nursing, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul; Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul.
S M
SM
Park
Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul; Thyroid Cancer Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul.
K E
KE
Lee
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul.
J
J
Choi
Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul; Breast Cancer Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
D-Y
DY
Noh
Skin Cancer/Chemotherapy Skin Care Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul; Department of Dermatology, Seoul, National University College of Medicine, Seoul; Institute of Dermatological Science, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul. Electronic address: khcho@snu.ac.kr.
K H
KH
Cho
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001494:Baths; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents