Childhood Cancer Survivors Engage in Suboptimal Levels of Sun Protection Behaviors

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) participate in moderate levels of sun protection behaviors and may require more education regarding their unique risk of skin cancer, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Researchers aimed to evaluate factors associated with sun protection behaviors among CCS in a study that included 94 adult survivors of childhood cancer. The study participants reported their sun protection habits, skin type/sensitivity, barriers to sun protection, and perceived severity and susceptibility of getting skin cancer. Statistics were used to describe the prevalence of sun protection behaviors. Hierarchical linear regression was used to determine predictors of sun protection behavior following the health belief model.

CCS were involved in moderate levels of sun protection behaviors. Hierarchical linear regression determined that fair skin type and higher perceived susceptibility relative to noncancer survivors were associated with higher sun protection behaviors.

“Although CCS are at increased risk of developing skin cancer, they engage in suboptimal levels of sun protection behaviors,” concluded the study authors. “Findings suggest that interventions to educate survivors about their unique risk of skin cancer and effective prevention behaviors are needed,” they added.

Reference
Fluehr M, Kwok G, Stapleton JL, Masterson M, Devine KA. Factors associated with sun protection behaviors among childhood cancer survivors. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. Published online January 10, 2023. doi:10.1097/MPH.0000000000002618