Abstract
Young adults are known for feeling invincible and thus engaging in risky behaviors. One such risky behavior is not protecting themselves from the sun, which can cause skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the skin cancer risk-lowering behaviors and skincare habits among youth ages 18 to 25 years. The findings indicated that a high level of knowledge does not equal regular use of risk-lowering behaviors. This study was quantitative, cross-sectional, and non-experimental. The survey, consisting of 20 Likert-type scale statements, was given in a college consisting of about 2000 students of which 120 college undergraduates participated. Orem’s self-care theory was used as a guide for the study. Participants tended to agree that the use of sunscreen would help protect them from getting skin cancer (M=2.88, SD=0.57), and that sunlight causes skin cancer (M=2.80, SD=0.70). Despite having an adequate level of knowledge on skin cancer risk factors, individuals did not follow through with correct risk-lowering behaviors. For risk-lowering behaviors, more than half of the participants regularly used sunscreen when exposed to the sun (M=2.50, SD=0.90), and most never used tanning beds (M=1.20, SD=0.60).
Highlights
High rates of tanning before the age of 30 can lead to eight times higher incidence rate of melanoma (Hemrich, Pawlaw, Pomerantz, & Segrist, 2014)
Studies have been completed looking at different races, or genders approach to sun-protective behaviors, the amount of tanning, and level of knowledge regarding skin cancer
The purpose of this study was to examine the level of skin cancer knowledge and risk-lowering behaviors among college-aged individuals, young adults ages 18 through 25 years, without narrowing the demographic pool to specific subpopulations
Summary
High rates of tanning before the age of 30 can lead to eight times higher incidence rate of melanoma (Hemrich, Pawlaw, Pomerantz, & Segrist, 2014). This study contains information about the rising incidence rate of skin cancer and the relation between knowledge of risk-lowering and current sun protective behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of skin cancer knowledge and risk-lowering behaviors among college-aged individuals, young adults ages 18 through 25 years, without narrowing the demographic pool to specific subpopulations. This age group is stereotyped to be more prone to risky behaviors; not much research exists relating to their level of knowledge, perceptions, or behavior, especially on http://journal.julypress.com/index.php/ijsn. This study seeks to fill in the gap of research concerning this age group and their level of skin cancer knowledge and risk-lowering behaviors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
