Not All Tanners Are Created Equal

Abstract

Recently, the idea that UV-risk behaviors can be characterized by subtypes defined by specific behavioral patterns has emerged in the skin cancer literature.1, 2 Further support for this idea is provided by O’Riordan and colleagues3 in this issue, who used latent class analyses to classify Hawaiian beach visitors into subtypes based on their degree of skin cancer risk, sun protection practices, and tanning motivations. The findings of this latest study parallel Pagoto and colleagues study of Chicago beach visitors2 which identified four subtypes of beachgoers, three of which were strikingly similar to the ones described by O’Riordan and colleagues, i.e., 1) low risk, sun worshippers, 2) moderate risk, sun worshippers (tan seekers), and 3) high risk, sun burners. The largest subtype in both of these studies, (i.e., the moderate risk, sun worshippers) individuals with a strong desire to tan in spite of skin type conducive to sunburning, elevated perceptions of skin cancer risk, and use of sunscreen with little use of shade or clothing for sun protection, is also the group of greatest concern to physicians because their motivation to tan appears to override their perceived and actual risk for skin cancer.2 Overall, more than two-thirds of both beach samples report that they are at the beach with the intention to tan to improve their appearance.