Research article
Sun protection and sunbathing practices among at-risk family members of patients with melanoma
-
* Corresponding author: Sharon L Manne mannesl@umdnj.edu
1 Cancer Prevention and Control Program, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
2 Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
3 Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
4 Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
5 Department of Medicine, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
BMC Public Health 2011, 11:122 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-122
Published: 21 February 2011Abstract
Background
Despite the increased level of familial risk, research indicates that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure. The goal of this study was to evaluate a broad range of demographic, medical, psychological, knowledge, and social influence correlates of sun protection and sunbathing practices among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of melanoma patients and to determine if correlates of sun protection and sunbathing were unique.
Methods
We evaluated correlates of sun protection and sunbathing among FDRs of melanoma patients who were at increased disease risk due to low compliance with sun protection and skin surveillance behaviors. Participants (N = 545) completed a phone survey.
Results
FDRs who reported higher sun protection had a higher education level, lower benefits of sunbathing, greater sunscreen self-efficacy, greater concerns about photo-aging and greater sun protection norms. FDRs who reported higher sunbathing were younger, more likely to be female, endorsed fewer sunscreen barriers, perceived more benefits of sunbathing, had lower image norms for tanness, and endorsed higher sunbathing norms.
Conclusion
Interventions for family members at risk for melanoma might benefit from improving sun protection self-efficacy, reducing perceived sunbathing benefits, and targeting normative influences to sunbathe.