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Sun Exposure Habits and Sun Protection Practices of Skaters

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Abstract

Beach activities and outdoor sports are risk factors for developing skin cancer. Skateboarding is among the most popular sports among adolescents. The aim was to analyse the sun exposure habits and sun protection practices of skaters, in comparison with corresponding sun exposure and protection practices on the beach. This cross-sectional study is based on health surveys carried out into sun exposure and protection practices among young skateboarders. The study population was composed of 102 skaters, of whom 84 (82.4 %) were male. Fifty-eight (56.8 %) of the participants reported having suffered at least one sunburn event the previous summer. Eighty-seven (91.6 %) said they practiced outdoor sports more than 90 days per year, while only six (6.1 %) spent this long at the beach. Forty-nine (52.1 %) practiced outdoor sports for 5 or more hours a day compared to 42 (43.3 %) who spent comparable periods at the beach. A long-sleeved shirt was worn more frequently during sports than at the beach. Keen skaters are a risk group for the development of skin cancer due to excessive sun exposure, high rates of sunburn and scant use of sun protection measures. Specific educational and behavioural interventions should be aimed at this risk group.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the team of skaters at Fuengirola and the organisers of the event. We also thank the research team at the Costa del Sol Hospital for their support. We thank the healthcare personnel of the Costa del Sol Sanitary Healthcare Agency and of the Costa del Sol Healthcare District for their collaboration in the educational initiative. We also thank Glenn Harding for translating the text. We also thank those responsible for the Ph.D. Programme in Clinical Medicine and Public Health at the University of Granada.

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Correspondence to Teresa Fernández-Morano.

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This study was conducted in strict compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The Research Ethics committee of the Costa del Sol Hospital has declared that this study protocol is exempted from the requirement for a statement of ethical approval, due to the public health intervention nature of the study.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Fernández-Morano, T., de Troya-Martín, M., Rivas-Ruiz, F. et al. Sun Exposure Habits and Sun Protection Practices of Skaters. J Canc Educ 32, 734–739 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1036-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1036-z

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