Abstract
The prevention of skin cancer relies not only on the knowledge of the risks of ultraviolet rays, but also on the appropriate measures to minimize solar exposure. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey among a rural population to evaluate perceptions regarding (i) sun-related behaviors, (ii) measures taken to protect themselves, and (iii) self-skin assessment knowledge. Questions included data on patients’ knowledge of deleterious effects of sun exposure, their habits and perceptions about adequate protection, their knowledge of a suspicious cutaneous lesion, and if a physician had spoken to them about the risks of ultraviolet/solar exposure. One hundred and six adults (38 males and 68 females) seen in a primary care clinic were enrolled in our study. Of these, only 38.7% of our patients were concerned about their risk of cutaneous malignancies. On analysis of the sun-protection variables, we found an increased use of tanning beds among women and an increased use of hats in men. Interestingly, we also found that only 18% of respondents used sunscreen when anticipating sun exposure. With suspicious skin lesions, color of the lesion appeared to be the most concerning factor for the subjects, with increasing size being the second most likely factor of concern. Only 11.3% of respondents had a physician-performed skin assessment and only 19.8% performed self-skin assessments at least yearly. There seems to be a lack of appropriate knowledge regarding precancerous and cancerous skin lesions among rural communities. Increased patient education is urgently necessary in rural populations to decrease the growing incidence of cutaneous malignancies.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Greenlee RT, et al. Cancer Statistics, 2001. CA Cancer J Clin 2001;51:15–36.
Melanoma. NCCN® Practice guidelines in Oncology. v.1.2002.
Rogers GS, et al. Melanoma Symposium. Proc Ann Meeting Amer Acad Dermatol; 2002; p. 112.
Chang AE, Karnell LH, Menck HR. The national cancer database report on cutaneous and non-cutaneous melanoma: a summary of 84,836 cases from the past decade. Cancer 1998;8:1664–1678.
Rivers JK, Gallagher RP. Public education projects in skin cancer. Experience of the Canadian Dermatology Association. Cancer 1995;75:661–666.
Jones TP, Boiko PE, Piepkorn MW. Skin biopsy indications in primary care practice: a population-based study. J Am Board Fam Pract 1996;9:397–404.
Helfand, M, Mahon SM, Eden KB, Frame PS, Orleans CT. Screening for skin cancer. Am J Prev Med 2001;20:47–58.
Miller DR, et al. Melanoma awareness and self-examination practices: results of a United States survey. J Amer Acad Dermatol 1996;34:962–970.
Rigel DS, et al. Importance of complete cutaneous examination for the detection of malignant melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;14:857–860.
Koh HK. Cutaneous melanoma. N Engl J Med 1991;325:171–182.
Balch CM, et al. Cutaneous melanoma. 2nd Ed. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott, 1992.
Friedman RJ, et al. Malignant melanoma in the 1990’s: the continued importance of early detection and the role of physician examination and self-examination of the skin. CA Cancer J Clin 1991;41:201–226.
Koh HK, et al. The current status of melanoma early detection and screening. Dermatol Clin 1995;13:623–34.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, J., Zelen, D., Hafeez, I. et al. Risk-awareness of cutaneous malignancies among rural populations. Med Oncol 20, 369–373 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:20:4:369
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:20:4:369