Abstract
Background: Melanoma incidence among white South Africans is increasing. Among black individuals, melanoma is associated with advanced stage at presentation and significant mortality. Objectives: A...
Highlights
Malignant melanoma is a potentially devastating disease
The objectives of our study were to assess the understanding of the presentation of melanoma and its risks, the importance of sun protection and early recognition in prevention and the effects of current attributes associated with ethnicity or race and other factors involved in determining understanding and behaviour
The white population by contrast is continually exposed to articles in the mainstream press, targeted advertisements for sunscreen and keen parenting resources that might result in greater knowledge and awareness of skin cancer and the importance of sun protection
Summary
Malignant melanoma is a potentially devastating disease. The strong association of ultraviolet exposure with skin cancer makes prevention through measures such as sun-avoidance and protective clothing essential. Detection of melanoma is critical in order to allow its diagnosis before metastasis, whilst it is still amenable to local excision. Routine screening examination, both self-examination and examination by health practitioners, is important.[1,2,3]. Melanoma incidence among white South Africans is increasing. Objectives: A study was undertaken to assess the perception of skin cancer risk, knowledge of skin cancer, and understanding of the importance and use of sunscreens among South Africans. Conclusions: There is a worrying lack of knowledge about skin cancer and sun protection behaviours among all South Africans. Given the increase in melanoma incidence and racial disparities in survival rates, it is imperative to target each population with effective, culturally sensitive educational programmes
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