Sun-Protective Behavior among Individuals with a Family History of Melanoma

Abstract

Routine sun protection is recommended to prevent skin cancer. Skin cancer prevention may be particularly important for individuals at greater risk, such as those with a family history of melanoma. Our aims were to examine the prevalence of sun-protective behavior (SPB) in unaffected first-degree relatives (FDR) of individuals diagnosed with melanoma and to examine the relationship between protection motivation theory (PMT) variables (i.e., perceived risk, perceived severity, self-efficacy, response efficacy) and SPB. FDRs (n = 100), who were nominated by melanoma patients, completed a standardized, self-report questionnaire measuring demographic characteristics, melanoma risk factors, PMT variables, and SPB. The results indicated that less than one-third of FDRs used sunscreen routinely when in the sun and fewer stayed in the shade or used protective clothing on a frequent basis. FDRs with a college education and with more melanoma risk factors reported higher levels of SPB. Of the four PMT variables, greater perceived risk and greater self-efficacy were significantly correlated with higher levels of SPB. Furthermore, results of multiple regression analyses suggest that perceived risk mediated the relationship between education and SPB and between melanoma risk factors and SPB. These findings suggest that interventions to increase the frequency of SPB in at-risk individuals should highlight risk information as well as methods to improve individuals' confidence in their abilities to engage in SPB. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(1):142 -5)

Serosorting Sexual Partners and Risk for HIV Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Studies have demonstrated risk perceptions play an important role in predicting health-related behavior. [17][18][19] Serosorting can decrease an individual's perception of risk for HIV, which supports the practice of engaging in risky sexual behaviors to compensate for the perceived lower risk of HIV transmission. 20 From this perspective, one's willingness to take risks is likely shaped by behaviors that are believed to be risk reducing, such as selecting partners who are believed to be safe.…”

Comportamento relativo à exposição e proteção solar na população de 15 anos ou mais de 15 capitais brasileiras e Distrito Federal, 2002-2003

“…Hábitos de vida e proteção ao Sol podem mudar pelas variáveis citadas no parágrafo anterior, contribuindo, assim, de forma diferenciada para os níveis cumulativos de exposição ao Sol e sua relação sucessiva com determinados tipos de ARTIGO ARTICLE câncer 8,9 . Associadas a esses hábitos de vida e proteção, distinguem-se três situações de exposição solar: no lazer, no trabalho e na realização de atividades domésticas 10,11 .…”

Impacto del diagnóstico de melanoma sobre la fotoprotección

“…En diferentes estudios se ha observado que los familiares de primer grado de pacientes con melanoma mejoran sus hábitos, pero tan sólo un tercio de ellos usa cremas fotoprotectoras rutinariamente, y sólo unos pocos permanecen a la sombra o usan ropas protectoras de forma habitual 75 . A pesar de la información recibida, en ocasiones, repetidas veces, los pacientes de alto riesgo no evitan actividades peligrosas frente al sol, debido a su persistente actitud positiva hacia el bronceado y sentirse más atractivos cuando su piel está dorada por el sol 79 .…”

“…Nuestros resultados apoyan la teoría de Mc Bride et al de que el grado en que un evento como el diagnóstico de cáncer es suficiente para modificar el comportamiento depende de la percepción personal del riesgo y de la angustia o distress que provoca. La percepción de riesgo de cáncer cutáneo se ha asociado con una mayor frecuencia de autoexploración cutánea y una mayor fotoprotección en individuos de alto riesgo 75,138,139 . Sin embargo el sentimiento de angustia entre pacientes de alto riesgo o con melanoma no ha sido ampliamente estudiado.…”