Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS)—Evaluating the Efficacy of Skin Cancer Prevention Education for Adolescents

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) program addresses an unmet need by training medical students to teach adolescents about skin cancer prevention and early detection. OBJECTIVE To measure (1) changes in adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sun protection and (2) the impact on medical students' confidence in skin cancer preventive counseling. METHODS Pre-SPOTS and 1-month post-SPOTS program surveys were completed by adolescent participants and medical student instructors. RESULTS Amongst adolescent students, analysis of 1,142 pre-program surveys and 618 post-program surveys revealed statistically significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Among the favorable results, 26%, 41%, and 20% improvements over baseline were observed in SPF knowledge, preference for natural untanned skin, and intent to wear sunscreen, respectively (p < .001). One-third of adolescents reported having tried to increase sunscreen use. Amongst medical students, analysis of 78 pre-teaching and 74 post-teaching surveys revealed an increase in feeling “very confident” in counseling patients, from 23% pre-teaching to 82% post-teaching (p < .001). CONCLUSION SPOTS demonstrated a dual benefit to adolescents and medical students. The program is available for dermatologists to implement in their communities.

Photoprotective measures among adolescents stratified by region: An analysis utilizing the National College Health Assessment

“…Utilizing community resources may help with this initiative, such as the Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) program initiatives at local middle and high schools. The SPOTS program has demonstrated statistically significant increases in the intention to wear sunscreen across all Fitzpatrick skin types, with most improvements seen in skin types four to six 12 . This is critical given that Blacks/African Americans have been shown to use less photoprotection in our study and others 7,8 .…”

“…all Fitzpatrick skin types, with most improvements seen in skin types four to six. 12 This is critical given that Blacks/African Americans have been shown to use less photoprotection in our study and others. 7,8 Furthermore, encouraging photoprotection education at local pediatrician offices may offer additional dissemination of important information as not all adolescents may regularly see a dermatologist.…”

Knowledge and practice of sunscreen use among medical students at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal

“…15 Various other intervention programs like appearance-based education or sun protection teaching have improved sun protection knowledge and UV exposure behavior, reducing the skin cancer risk. [16][17][18] Furthermore, our study revealed that the majority133(57.3%), of participants relied on media as primary source of information about sunscreen. Interestingly, friends 77(46.7%), were the most common source of sunscreen recommendation.…”

Predictors of sunscreen use in United States high‐school students

“…Therefore, prevention campaigns are essential to educating the public on the importance of sunscreen use. Programs such as Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS), which teaches school children about the importance of sun protection, are crucial given that an estimated 40%–50% of UV damage is obtained by the age of twenty 4,5 . The goal of this review is to summarise predictors of sunscreen use among high‐school adolescents in the United States (U.S.).…”

“…For example, following the SPOTS programme education, one-third of adolescent participants reported having attempted to increase sunscreen use in a 1-month postprogramme survey. 4 With the continued expansion of virtual teaching platforms, more communities are…”