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Cited by 16Skin Protection and AgingNonmelanoma Skin Cancer StudiesCutaneous Melanoma Detection and Management

The association between skin characteristics and skin cancer prevention behaviors

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Wheless, Lee, Ruczinski, Ingo, Alani, Rhoda M., Clipp, Sandra, Hoffman-Bolton, Judith, Jorgensen, Timothy J., Liégeois, Nanette J., Strickland, Paul T. +1 more·2009·Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
DOI 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-09-0383PMC PMC2759861
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Abstract

Background: Behaviors such as sunscreen use and wearing sun-protective clothing are thought to prevent certain types of skin cancer and precancerous lesions, but few studies have examined differences in these prevention behaviors by skin type. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study (n = 6,858) nested within a community-based prospective cohort in Washington County, Maryland. We measured the associations between skin type, complexion, freckling, and eye color, and sunscreen and sun-protective clothing use. Results: The prevalence of regular sunscreen use was 23% and regular sun-protective clothing use was 21%. There were consistent trends indicating those with the most sun-sensitive skin type were most likely to engage in prevention behaviors. For example, compared with those who tan without burning, those who develop blistering sunburns were more likely to use sunscreen [odds ratio (OR), 6.04; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.82-12.95 men; OR, 4.89; 95% CI, 3.34-7.16 women] and sun-protective clothing (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.71-4.80 men; OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.88-6.85 women). Health-related characteristics such as body mass index and cigarette smoking were also significantly inversely associated with prevention behaviors. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of prevention behaviors was low. Those with phenotypic risk factors for skin cancer were most likely to use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Those with high-risk skin cancer phenotypes may also be those who are most receptive to skin cancer prevention educational interventions. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(10):2613–9)

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  • Higher BMI is positively associated with skin cancer risk behaviors and sunburn.

    “The association between BMI and sunscreen use was consistent with other studies that have indicated higher BMI is positively associated with skin cancer risk behaviors27–28 and sunburn.21”

    From Patterns of sunscreen use on the face and other exposed skin among US adults (2015) · cites this paper as [27]

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Research works printed but not linked: 24

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Authors
Wheless, L., Ruczinski, I., Alani, R. M., Clipp, S., Hoffman-Bolton, J., Jorgensen, T. J., Liégeois, N. J., Strickland, P. T., & Alberg, A. J.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • 1Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology, 2Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Departments of 3Biostatistics, 4Epidemiology, and 5Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Departments of 6Dermatology, 7Oncology, 8Surgery, and 9Otolaryngology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; 10George W. Comstock Center for Public Health Research and Prevention, Washington County, Maryland; and 11Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
Corresponding author
Alberg, Anthony J.
ORCID
Venue
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Publisher
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Published
2009-10-01
Volume
18
Issue
10
Pages
2613-2619
ISSN
  • 1055-9965 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-7755
DOI
10.1158/1055-9965.epi-09-0383
PMC
PMC2759861
OpenAlex
W2120357822
Cited by
16
References
0
Citations by year
2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA105069, P30CA138313)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR029882, TL1RR029881, T32RR023258)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cutaneous Melanoma Detection and Management
Keywords
skin cancer prevention, sunscreen use, sun-protective clothing, skin type, freckling, eye color, sunburn, body mass index, cigarette smoking, skin cancer risk factors, prevention education
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Education, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Maryland, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Protective Clothing, Risk Factors, Skin Neoplasms, Sunburn, Sunlight, Sunscreening Agents, Cohort Studies, Statistics, Nonparametric

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