title: Awareness, Attitude, and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Patients at High Risk of Melanoma. A Cross-Sectional Study on 185 Patients.
abstract: Melanoma is potentially curable if diagnosed at its earliest stages and treated properly. The best approaches for reducing deaths due to melanoma are primary and secondary prevention. The objective of this study is to evaluate patient awareness of the risk factors for developing melanoma and attitudes toward its prevention. Also, this study aims to assess observance of recommended preventive measures and to identify possible factors associated with a low adoption of these measures. This cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire included 185 consecutively enrolled subjects at risk of developing melanoma monitored in a pigmented lesion unit in Valencia (Spain). Level of knowledge, attitude, and observance of preventive measures were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using contingency tables, chi-squared test, and Spearman correlation. Out of those who reported practicing skin self-examination, only 24.1 % performed it in the optimal way. A better attitude was observed in low-risk patients (r = -0.28, p < 0.01). Being female (p < 0.01), aged 18-35 (p = 0.02), fair-haired (p = 0.02), having skin phototype I-II (p < 0.01), and a suitable attitude (p = 0.05) and knowledge (p < 0.01) were related to a better use of sunscreens and avoidance of sun exposure. Knowledge was inversely associated with age (p = 0.01). Despite the high level of knowledge and positive attitude, inadequate practice of compliance with recommended primary and secondary preventive measures was observed in our risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, c/ Profesor Beltrán Báguena, 8, 46009, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertolin
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cercatto
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Requena
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serra-Guillen
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Llombart
authors.forename: Onofre
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sanmartin
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guillen
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D016353:Self-Examination; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D055108:Sunbathing; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents