Lifestyle behaviors and sun exposure among individuals diagnosed with skin cancer: a cross-sectional analysis of 2018 BRFSS data

Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

With the continued increase in skin cancer incidence rates, the population of skin cancer survivors continues to grow. Understanding skin cancer survivors’ lifestyle behaviors, including ultraviolet radiation exposure, is important in reducing skin cancer recurrences and improving health outcomes. The objective of this study is to compare the differences in lifestyle behaviors among skin cancer survivors or individuals who currently have skin cancer versus individuals who have never had a skin cancer diagnosis.

Methods

To investigate these lifestyle behaviors, we performed a cross-sectional analysis comparing lifestyle behaviors in persons diagnosed with skin cancer and those without a history of skin cancer among US citizens using publicly available data from the 2018 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Results

In total, there were 437,436 respondents. No significant difference existed between the two cohorts in sunburn frequency, use of sun protection, or indoor tanning; in fact, males were more likely to be afflicted with sunburns following diagnosis. Skin cancer survivors were less likely to be current smokers and sedentary. Female survivors were more likely to binge and heavily drink alcohol.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight important areas for reducing risk factors, which could reduce the recurrence of skin malignancies in skin cancer survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Our study provides insight to lifestyle behaviors among skin cancer survivors. Being aware of these behaviors has the potential to reduce skin cancer recurrence.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA

    Ryan Ottwell, Courtney Cook, Benjamin Greiner & Micah Hartwell

  2. University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Nguyen Hoang

  3. Center for Dermatology, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Tracy Beswick

Authors
  1. Ryan Ottwell
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  2. Courtney Cook
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  3. Benjamin Greiner
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  4. Nguyen Hoang
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  5. Tracy Beswick
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  6. Micah Hartwell
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Correspondence to Ryan Ottwell.

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Ottwell, R., Cook, C., Greiner, B. et al. Lifestyle behaviors and sun exposure among individuals diagnosed with skin cancer: a cross-sectional analysis of 2018 BRFSS data. J Cancer Surviv (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00971-y

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Keywords

  • Skin neoplasm
  • Skin cancer
  • Melanoma
  • General dermatology
  • Skin cancer survivors
  • Lifestyle behaviors
  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Public health
  • Sun protection
  • Ultraviolet radiation