title: Sunscreen use while driving.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data regarding patient perceptions and behaviors about sun-protection measures while driving are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates patients' awareness of the importance of sun protection while in an automobile, and assesses perceptions about and compliance with sun protection. A secondary objective was to detect any significant laterality in melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective survey of patients seen at a Mohs micrographic surgery clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly fewer patients reported wearing sunscreen while in an automobile when compared with general daily sunscreen use (52% vs 27%, P < .05). Most respondents did not think they needed to use sunscreen while driving, especially if the windows were closed. Those who believed they were protected from sun damage while in a car were much less likely to use sunscreen (12% vs 46%, P < .05). There was a significant left-sided predominance of nonmelanoma skin cancers, except in patients who used automobiles with tinted windows.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective survey study design is not as ideal as a randomized controlled trial. Additional limitations of this study include small sample size, selection bias, and recall bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results reveal poor patient awareness of and compliance with sun-protection measures while in an automobile. Skin cancer prevention efforts should be modified to specifically address automobile-related sun exposure.
authors: School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
authors: Dennis P
authors: DP
authors: Kim
authors: Indy
authors: I
authors: Chabra
authors: Pawan
authors: P
authors: Chabra
authors: Evan C
authors: EC
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents