Abstract
BackgroundSkin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem.ObjectiveTo describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The “Beach Questionnaire” was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test.ResultsWe surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that “when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer” (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions “Sunbathing is relaxing” and “Sunbathing improves my mood”, men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group.ConclusionSun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches.
Highlights
IntroductionSkin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem
Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem with a serious economic burden to the healthcare system of many countries (Erdmann et al, 2013; Garbe & Leiter, 2009; Guy et al, 2015)
In Europe, melanoma trends has increased in recent years, with the highest incidence rates in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands (Arnold et al, 2014)
Summary
Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem. Behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru. Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem with a serious economic burden to the healthcare system of many countries (Erdmann et al, 2013; Garbe & Leiter, 2009; Guy et al, 2015). Global incidence rates of skin cancer have increased and there are some published reports that evidence this situation. In Europe, melanoma trends has increased in recent years, with the highest incidence rates in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands (Arnold et al, 2014). In Peru, there has been reported a growing trend of skin cancer, becoming the fourth most frequent type of cancer in the country (Sordo & Gutiérrez, 2013)
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