TY - JOUR
T1 - Skin cancer knowledge and preventive behaviors among patients with a recent history of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
AU - Renzi, Cristina
AU - Mastroeni, Simona
AU - Mannooranparampil, Thomas J.
AU - Passarelli, Francesca
AU - Caggiati, Alessio
AU - Pasquini, Paolo
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - Aims: To evaluate skin cancer knowledge and preventive behaviors of patients recently treated for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to examine the factors associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors. Methods: Telephone survey on 315 SCC patients treated at a large dermatological hospital in Italy, evaluating skin cancer knowledge, sun protection and skin examination practices as well as medical recommendations received after SCC removal. Results: Skin cancer knowledge was fair/low for 48.9% of the participants. Doctors were the main source of skin cancer information for 24.4% of the patients. Of the patients assessed ≥12 months after SCC removal, 32.7% reported a total skin examination after removal. Of the participants, 41.6% never/rarely used sunscreens. In a multivariate analysis, the likelihood of having complete skin examinations was associated with a doctor's advice to have an examination (odds ratio, OR = 2.29; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.2-4.4), a higher knowledge level (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.1-3.8) and past skin examinations (OR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.9-7.0). Doctor's recommendations increased the likelihood of adopting preventive behaviors. Conclusions: We found substantial knowledge gaps and limited adoption of skin cancer prevention, highlighting the need for interventions promoting knowledge and preventive behaviors, particularly among higher-risk patients.
AB - Aims: To evaluate skin cancer knowledge and preventive behaviors of patients recently treated for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to examine the factors associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors. Methods: Telephone survey on 315 SCC patients treated at a large dermatological hospital in Italy, evaluating skin cancer knowledge, sun protection and skin examination practices as well as medical recommendations received after SCC removal. Results: Skin cancer knowledge was fair/low for 48.9% of the participants. Doctors were the main source of skin cancer information for 24.4% of the patients. Of the patients assessed ≥12 months after SCC removal, 32.7% reported a total skin examination after removal. Of the participants, 41.6% never/rarely used sunscreens. In a multivariate analysis, the likelihood of having complete skin examinations was associated with a doctor's advice to have an examination (odds ratio, OR = 2.29; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.2-4.4), a higher knowledge level (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.1-3.8) and past skin examinations (OR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.9-7.0). Doctor's recommendations increased the likelihood of adopting preventive behaviors. Conclusions: We found substantial knowledge gaps and limited adoption of skin cancer prevention, highlighting the need for interventions promoting knowledge and preventive behaviors, particularly among higher-risk patients.
KW - Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
KW - Skin cancer knowledge and prevention
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U2 - 10.1159/000127389
DO - 10.1159/000127389
M3 - Article
C2 - 18424897
AN - SCOPUS:46049092577
VL - 217
SP - 74
EP - 80
JO - Dermatology
JF - Dermatology
SN - 1018-8665
IS - 1
ER -