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Sun-protective behaviors in families at increased risk of melanoma

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 16:15 authored by Julia A Newton Bishop, Tamara Taylor, Henry W W Potts, Faye Elliott, Elizabeth Pinney, Jennifer H. Barrett, D. Timothy Bishop, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield
The aim of this study was to compare reported behavior in the sun in melanoma families with that of geographical healthy controls and to determine the predictors of that behavior to inform the process of counseling melanoma families. One hundred and seventy individuals with a family history of melanoma and 140 controls completed a postal questionnaire. Thirty-one percent of relatives reported sunburn in the previous summer, compared with 41% of controls. Fifty-five percent of relatives had acquired a suntan so that adherence to health education advice was disappointing. Male relatives were particularly likely to report sunburn. Higher knowledge scores correlated well with greater belief in ability to prevent melanoma, less desire for a tan, and more protective behaviors in relatives only (not in controls). We have shown that some psychological characteristics, sex, and age have an effect on behavior, so that the educational approaches needed will vary. "Better" behaviors were reported by melanoma cases than other relatives and by members of families with larger numbers of cases, which suggests that a belief that an individual is at particular risk of melanoma is important for compliance with preventive behaviors.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

ISSN

1523-1747

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Issue

6

Volume

127

Page range

1343-1350

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-01-04

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