title: Photoeducation and photoprotection among liver transplant candidates: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The incidence of skin cancer after liver transplant ranges from 3% to 16%, considerably higher than that observed in the general population. Skin cancer causes 25% of deaths in patients who have survived more than 3 years after liver transplant. The objective of this study was to identify differences regarding the level of sun exposure, knowledge of potential risk factors, and photoprotection measures among liver transplant candidates and recipients. We carried out a prospective cross-sectional study with 100 patients enrolled at a liver transplant program in a Brazilian center. The patients were interviewed and received oral information regarding skin care and sun exposure. Results reveal that measures of photoprotection and photoeducation are more prevalent among recipients than among candidates. High degrees of solar exposure were observed more frequently among candidates, although recipients showed better knowledge about the risks of sun exposure. Educational actions concerning skin cancer prevention should be part of the guidelines given by the multidisciplinary team to the liver transplant patients, in particular, by the nursing team.
authors.affiliation: General and Specialized Nursing Department, Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. dalsasso@eerp.usp.br
authors.forename: Karina Dal Sasso
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Fabiana Murad
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Rossin
authors.forename: Luciana da Costa
authors.initials: Lda C
authors.lastname: Ziviani
authors.forename: Kátia Prado
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Márcia Maria Fontão
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zago
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ohler
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: de Castro-e-Silva
authors.forename: Cristina Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Galvão
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects