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Skin Cancer-Sun Knowledge and Sun Protection Behaviors of Liver Transplant Recipients in Turkey

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare liver transplant recipients (LTRs) with the general population regarding their knowledge of skin cancer, sun health, sun protection behaviors, and affecting factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey between March 2016 and September 2016 with 104 LTRs and 100 participants from the general population group (GPG). The mean age of the LTRs was 53.2 ± 11.8 and that of the GPG was 42.7 ± 14.5. The LTRs’ skin cancer and sun knowledge were significantly lower than in the GPG, but there was no difference between the two groups in terms of their sun protection behavior scores. The most commonly used sun protection behaviors of LTRs were not being outside and not sunbathing between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing clothing that covers the skin, and avoiding the solarium. Behaviors commonly practiced by the GPG were wearing sunglasses, wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher before going outside, wearing sunscreen at the beach, while swimming or doing physical activity outside, and reapplying it every 2 h. Results of our study will contribute to the development of education and training programs for LTRs on skin cancer. The results also demonstrated the importance of practicing adequate sun protection behaviors which will certainly impact their future health.

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Correspondence to Gulcihan Arkan.

Ethics declarations

To conduct the study, written permission was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Dokuz Eylul University, the hospitals and primary health care center where the study was to be conducted, and the municipality. After the purpose and the design of the study were explained to the participants, their written consent was obtained and the study was carried out with those who volunteered.

Ethics Statement

This study was reviewed and approved by the Dokuz Eylül University Ethical Committee.

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Haney, M.O., Ordin, Y.S. & Arkan, G. Skin Cancer-Sun Knowledge and Sun Protection Behaviors of Liver Transplant Recipients in Turkey. J Canc Educ 34, 137–144 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1279-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1279-3

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