title: Can melanoma therapy change attitudes toward prevention and tanning?
abstract: Malignant melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer whose incidence is increasing worldwide. Important is knowledge of risk factors, early diagnosis, long-term follow-up on confirmed melanoma cases and prevention. In this study, we tested melanoma patients' attitudes toward solar radiation and perception of the value of follow-up. The present cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in a group of patients diagnosed with stage I and II of malignant melanoma (n = 124). They were monitored for at least 1 year. The research was carried out by anonymous questionnaire. The results revealed that the respondents welcomed the opportunity of follow-up care. Its benefits were said to outweigh the inconvenience of repeated checkups. However, the esthetic importance of a suntan was still considered quite high. Substantial reserve was found in the use of sunscreen. The need for wide public education and the protection against excessive contact with solar radiation is evident. Regular monitoring seems to be just as important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Radmila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Konkolova
authors.forename: Doc Hana
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Provaznikova
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jirakova
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hercogova
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000523:psychology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: melanoma; prevention; tanning