What Is the Key to Improving Renal Transplant Recipients' Awareness of Skin Cancer Risk?
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown poor compliance rates regarding sun protection among organ transplant recipients.


OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the present study was to assess the awareness among renal transplant recipients (RTRs) of their risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development and their sunscreen use. The influence of several potentially relevant variables was also assessed in order to identify possible weak points on which to concentrate efforts in this respect.


METHODS
A total of 132 RTRs (92 males and 40 females) were included. The following information was collected and elaborated: (a) demographics; (b) skin phototype; (c) educational level; (d) time elapsed since transplantation; (e) immunosuppressive treatments; (f) previous dermatological visits; (g) patients' awareness of their NMSC risk; (h) use of sunscreen; and (i) previous documented NMSCs or NMSCs found during the study visit.


RESULTS
Overall, 65 patients (49.2%) expressed awareness of their susceptibility to skin cancers. A high educational level was the main factor associated with patients' awareness. Thirty-six RTRs (27.3%) reported using sunscreen regularly. High educational level and awareness of personal susceptibility to NMSC development were the most relevant factors associated with sun protection habits.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study showed the low level of sunscreen use among RTRs and their scanty awareness of personal skin cancer risk. Since educational level has been found to be highly related to both awareness of cancer risk and adequate use of sunscreen among RTRs, it is necessary to improve the way education is delivered by dermatologists and nephrologists, especially to subjects with a low educational level.
Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Borghi
Monica
M
Corazza
Yuri
Y
Battaglia
Elisa
E
Maietti
Sara
S
Minghetti
Annarosa
A
Virgili
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066027:Transplant Recipients / Q000523:psychology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
Awareness; Education; Non-melanoma skin cancer; Renal transplant recipients; Sunscreen