RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Predictors of Sun Protection Behaviors and Severe Sunburn in an International Online Study
JF Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention
JO Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
FD American Association for Cancer Research
SP 2199
OP 2210
DO 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-10-0196
VO 19
IS 9
A1 Bränström, Richard
A1 Kasparian, Nadine A.
A1 Chang, Yu-mei
A1 Affleck, Paul
A1 Tibben, Aad
A1 Aspinwall, Lisa G.
A1 Azizi, Esther
A1 Baron-Epel, Orna
A1 Battistuzzi, Linda
A1 Bergman, Wilma
A1 Bruno, William
A1 Chan, May
A1 Cuellar, Francisco
A1 Dębniak, Tadeusz
A1 Pjanova, Dace
A1 Ertmański, Sławomir
A1 Figl, Adina
A1 Gonzalez, Melinda
A1 Hayward, Nicholas K.
A1 Hocevar, Marko
A1 Kanetsky, Peter A.
A1 Leachman, Sancy A.
A1 Heisele , Olita
A1 Palmer, Jane
A1 Peric, Barbara
A1 Puig, Susana
A1 Schadendorf, Dirk
A1 Gruis, Nelleke A.
A1 Newton-Bishop, Julia
A1 Brandberg, Yvonne
YR 2010
UL http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/19/9/2199.abstract
AB Background: The incidence of melanoma continues to increase in many countries, and primary prevention of melanoma includes avoidance of sunburn as well as adequate sun protection behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported sun protection behaviors and sunburn in users of the Internet, and to identify the demographic, clinical, and attitudinal/motivational correlates of sun protection behaviors.Methods: Self-report data were gathered on behalf of the GenoMEL consortium using an online survey available in 10 different languages, and 8,178 individuals successfully completed at least 80% of survey items, with 73% of respondents from Europe, 12% from Australia, 7% from the United States, 2% from Israel, and 6% from other countries.Results: Half of all respondents and 27% of those with a previous melanoma reported at least one severe sunburn during the previous 12 months. The strongest factors associated with sun protection behavior were perceived barriers to protection (β = −0.44/β = −0.37), and respondents who reported a positive attitude toward suntans were less likely to protect (β = −0.16/β = −0.14). Reported use of protective clothing and shade, as well as avoidance of midday sun exposure, were more strongly related to reduced risk of sunburn than sunscreen use.Conclusions: Despite widespread dissemination of public health messages about the importance of sun protection, a substantial proportion of this international sample, including respondents with a previous melanoma, reported inadequate sun protection behaviors resulting in severe sunburn.Impact: Future strategies to decrease sunburn should target the practical, social, and psychological barriers associated with nonuptake of sun protection. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(9); 2199–210. ©2010 AACR.