Melanoma risk factors, perceived threat and intentional tanning: an international online survey

Abstract

Background Cutaneous melanoma continues to increase in incidence in many countries, and intentional tanning is a risk factor for melanoma. The aim of this study was to understand how melanoma risk factors, perceived threat, and preferences for a suntan relate to intentional tanning. Methods Self-report data were collected on behalf of GenoMEL (www.genomel.org) from members of the general population using an online survey. A total of 8,178 individuals successfully completed at least 80% of the survey, with 72.8% of respondents from Europe, 12.1% from Australia, 7.1% from the USA, 2.5% from Israel, and 5.5% from other countries. Results Seven percent of respondents had previously been diagnosed with melanoma and 8% had at least one first-degree relative with a previous melanoma. Overall, 70% of the respondents reported some degree of intentional tanning during the past year, and 38% of respondents previously diagnosed with melanoma had intentionally tanned. Total number of objective risk factors was positively correlated with perceived risk of melanoma (correlation coefficient (ρ)=0.27), and negatively correlated with intentional tanning (ρ=−0.16). Preference for a dark suntan was the strongest predictor of intentional tanning (regression coefficient (β)=0.35, p<0.001), even in those with a previous melanoma (β=0.33, p<0.01). Conclusions A substantial proportion of participants reported having phenotypic and behavioural risk factors for melanoma. The preference regarding suntans seemed more important in the participants’ decision to intentionally tan than their perceived risk of developing melanoma, and this finding was consistent among respondents from different countries. The drive to sunbathe in order to tan appears to be a key psychological factor to be moderated if melanoma incidence is to be reduced.

Skin Examination Behavior

“…A detailed description of the demographic characteristics of the study sample has been reported previously. 9 …”

“…9,10 In brief, recruitment took place between January 2007 and September 2008 using a web-based survey designed specifically for the study. Recruiting centers were located in 12 countries (Australia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA) participating in the melanoma genetics consortium, GenoMEL.…”

Relative Importance of Traditional Risk Factors for Malignant Melanoma in the Czech Population

“…The incidence of melanoma is higher in countries close to the Equator, but many cases also occur in Europe. The highest numbers of cases are reported in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (1)(2)(3)(4). The prevalence of melanoma in the hispanic population of the USA is about six times lower than in the Caucasian population (4,5).…”

Similar anatomical distributions of childhood naevi and cutaneous melanoma in young adults residing in northern and southern Sweden

“…Economic prosperity in Sweden has rapidly improved since the 50ies, enabling spare time for domestic sun tanning, frequent sun travels abroad and sun bed use. This is likely to have contributed to the steadily rising melanoma rates and a multicenter on-line survey 2010 has established swedes to be among the most sun seeking populations in the world [4,5].…”