OBJECTIVE: To examine the importance of tanning among students in relation to attitudes and knowledge regarding skin cancer prevention. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: College students at a major Midwestern university METHODS: Students were recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included information on sun-sensitivity, knowledge and tanning attitudes and behaviors. Survey sampling statistical techniques that account for clustering among the 163 students recruited were used. RESULTS: We found a high level of skin cancer prevention knowledge; however knowledge was not related to a reduction in the importance of tanning. In many cases, higher levels of knowledge corresponded to a greater emphasis on the importance of tanning. Sunscreen use was low among this population. Those who placed an importance on tanning more often checked that they believed that "sunless tanning creams are safer than the sun". CONCLUSIONS: This population's belief that they look healthier and feel better with a tan strongly influences the desire to tan. Therefore, future cancer information campaigns or other prevention efforts should directly address the desire to tan by encouraging the use of sunless tanning products as an alternative method of tanning.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the importance of tanning among students in relation to attitudes and knowledge regarding skin cancer prevention. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: College students at a major Midwestern university METHODS: Students were recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included information on sun-sensitivity, knowledge and tanning attitudes and behaviors. Survey sampling statistical techniques that account for clustering among the 163 students recruited were used. RESULTS: We found a high level of skin cancer prevention knowledge; however knowledge was not related to a reduction in the importance of tanning. In many cases, higher levels of knowledge corresponded to a greater emphasis on the importance of tanning. Sunscreen use was low among this population. Those who placed an importance on tanning more often checked that they believed that "sunless tanning creams are safer than the sun". CONCLUSIONS: This population's belief that they look healthier and feel better with a tan strongly influences the desire to tan. Therefore, future cancer information campaigns or other prevention efforts should directly address the desire to tan by encouraging the use of sunless tanning products as an alternative method of tanning.
Authors: H van Weelden; S C van der Putte; J Toonstra; J C van der Leun Journal: Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed Date: 1990-04 Impact factor: 3.135
Authors: P Autier; J F Doré; S Négrier; D Liénard; R Panizzon; F J Lejeune; D Guggisberg; A M Eggermont Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 1999-08-04 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Jennifer L Hay; Alan C Geller; Maria Schoenhammer; Mallorie Gordon; Marilyn Bishop; Elyse Shuk; Susan Oliveria; Allan C Halpern Journal: J Health Psychol Date: 2014-10-15
Authors: Carolyn J Heckman; Susan D Darlow; Lee M Ritterband; Elizabeth A Handorf; Sharon L Manne Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-01-22 Impact factor: 5.043