| Autor: |
Lagacé F; Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada., Conte S; Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada., Mija LA; Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada., Moustaqim-Barrette A; Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada., Mahmood F; Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada., LeBeau J; Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada., McKenna A; Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada., Maazi M; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada., Hanna J; Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada., Kelly ASV; Faculty of Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada., Rahme E; Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada., Hrubeniuk TJ; Population Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B1, Canada.; Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B1, Canada., Peláez S; School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.; Research Centre, Sainte-Justine University Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada., Litvinov IV; Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada. |
| Abstrakt: |
The rapidly increasing skin cancer rates in Canada are alarming, with current data estimating that 1/3 of Canadians will be affected in their lifetime. Thus, deeper understanding of high-risk sun exposure behaviors is needed to help counter this trend. Only limited action has been taken by federal/provincial governments to reduce skin cancer incidence. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Manitoba, with frequency counts, means, and percentages used to encapsulate responses. Age- and gender-adjusted odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression analyses. Our study identified worrying inadequacies in sun protective behaviors and attitudes, with the threat of such high-risk behaviors amplified by a lack of skin cancer awareness. Alarming elements were noted in participants' sun exposure history (>65% reported a history of sunburns, >50% previously used a tanning bed, and >75% recently tanned for pleasure), beliefs and attitudes (>50% believe that they look better/healthier with a tan, and >40% believe that having a base tan is protective against further sun damage), and sun protection efforts (sun protective clothing was used <60% of the time, sunscreen was used by <50%, and there was a lack of knowledge about sunscreen characteristics in ~30% of respondents), in addition to significant differences being established between demographic subgroups (based on gender, age, skin phototype, income, and education attained). This study provides worrisome insight onto the grim landscape of sun protective behaviors and attitudes in Manitoba, which will inevitably translate into higher skin cancer rates and should serve as a call to action to promote targeted public health messaging in this jurisdiction and beyond. |
