Skin cancer risk factors and determine the prevelance of risky behaviors: Province screening of Aydin

AimIncidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide eventhough it is a preventible type of cancer. Major risk factor is exposure to sun. In this study, we aimed to evaluate skin cancer risk factors, risk behaviors and protection behaviors in Aydın where exposure to sun is high.MethodsStudy was designed as crossectional and descriptive study. Randomly chosen 800 adults and 205 children and adolescents from urban and rural areas of Aydın were included in the study. Questionnairre for adults and children were applied by face to face interview. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted for demographics, risk factors, risk behaviors and protection behaviors.ResultsA total of 1005 participants were present. One hundred and sixty three (%20.4) of 800 adults did not have any of the risk factors where as all of the 205 children had at least one risk factor. The most common risk factor was inability to tan both for adults and children. Any type of skin disease in adults was more common among participants with sunburn history. Majority of children had either severe or mild sunburn history in the last 3 years. Only one in 3 adults were seeking shades where as even less do not stay outside during peak hours or use protective cloths, hats and sunglasses. Hat use was more common among children. However wide brim hat use was very rare both in adults and children. Adults with any of the risk factors did not show better protection behavior. Similarly, protection behaviors did not differ between low risk and high risk groups of children. The most common knowledge source was TV-radio for adults whereas it was mother and father for children.ConclusionAdults and children with any of the risk factors do not show sufficient protection behavior in Aydın where population is exposed to high level of UVR. There is a need to develop skin cancer protection programs and apply these programs in family medicine practice in our manucipility.Key words: skin cancer, protection, risk factors, risk behaviors, sun exposure, UVR