title: Perceptions of Risk of Developing Skin Cancer for Diverse Audiences: Enhancing Relevance of Sun Protection to Reduce the Risk.
abstract: Sixty-five percent of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) develop squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Perceptions of risk of developing skin cancer, amelioration of this risk with sun protection, and having choices among sun protection strategies may enhance sun protection use by KTRS, who are at greater risk than the general population. Thirty KTRs stratified among non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanic/Latinos evaluated three versions of the interactive, web-based, electronic sun protection program and suggested refinements. The sequence of content presentation prepared the participant to accept the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of the message. Beginning with informing participants that using sun protection reduces the chance of developing skin cancer made the information credible to KTRs. Showing skin cancer on all skin types and patient testimonials enhanced participants' awareness of their susceptibility to develop skin cancer and primed patients to receive their personal risk of developing skin cancer. Coupling presentation of knowledge about the benefits of sun protection in reducing the risk of developing skin cancer with the personal risk of getting the disease was essential to KTRs believing that they could influence their health outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 St. Clair Street, Suite 1260, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. june-robinson@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: June K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Friedewald
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthcare Studies and Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Elisa J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066027:Transplant Recipients / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Kidney transplant recipients; Patient education; Risk perceptions; Skin cancer