Scottish adolescents' sun-related behaviours, tanning attitudes and associations with skin cancer awareness: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe Scottish adolescents' sun-related behaviours and tanning attitudes and assess associations with skin cancer awareness.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

20 state secondary schools in one Scottish local authority (Glasgow City).

Participants

2173 adolescents (females: 50.7%, n=1102) with a mean age of 12.4 (SD=0.55).

Outcome measures

Sun-related behaviour (suntan, sunbathing, sunburn, sunscreen use, sunbed use), tanning attitudes, skin cancer-related symptom and risk factor awareness.

Results

Adolescents reported poor sun-related practice: 51% of adolescents reported sunburn the previous summer of whom 38% indicated sunburn on more than one occasion. Skin cancer awareness was low: 45% recognised 'change in the appearance

SUBMITTER: Kyle RG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4025409 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature