Knowledge and practices of primary care providers on skin cancer and skin self-examination

Abstract

Objective To determine the knowledge and practices related to skin cancer and skin self-examination of primary care providers. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Turkey. The study was carried out in primary health centers such as family health centers, community health centers, early cancer detection centers and family planning centers in 2016-2017. Participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, their knowledge and practices related to skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors and skin self-examination were determined. Results The study population included 94 primary care providers. The symptoms of which the participants were most aware were changes in the color of moles or skin spots (95.71%), and of which participants were the least aware was the itching of a mole (71.43%). Among participants, the most recognized risk factor was having fair skin (97.14%), whereas the least known was the presence of birthmarks (24.29%). The mean scores the participants obtained from the questionnaire were as follows: 5.39±1.61 for skin cancer risk factors and 10.47±2.73 for skin cancer symptoms. Of the participants, 14.29% received training on skin self-examination, 38.57% knew how to perform skin self-examination, and 67.14% did not perform skin self-examination. Of the participants, 61.7% did not perform skin self-examination because they did not know what to look for. Of the participants, 85.71% did not have continuing education/workshop about skin self-examination after graduation. Conclusion Although the primary care providers’ knowledge of skin cancer symptoms was adequate, their knowledge of skin cancer risk factors was not sufficient. Primary care providers’ knowledge of skin self-examination was good, but they did not perform skin self-examination adequately.

Comparison of the knowledge level of individuals living in rural and urban areas about skin cancer and sun protection

“…It is a known fact that and individual's skin cancer and sun protection behaviors are directly proportionate to the extent of their knowledge and awareness about skin cancer and the sun. 12,19,20,23,24 When considered in this context, approximately threefourths (70.9%) of the individuals residing in rural areas were farmers, and the daily sun exposure was found to be 6.38±3.24 hours. On the other hand, more than threefourths (84%) of the individuals residing in urban areas consisted of civil servants and workers with more limited sun exposure due to their occupation, and their daily sun exposure was found to be 3.61±2.46 hours.…”

Prevalência de casos de câncer de pele no interior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul

“…Devido a depleções na camada de ozônio, que protege a terra contra a radiação solar, a incidência da radiação UVB tem aumentado. Essa radiação está intrinsecamente relacionada ao câncer de pele e é responsável por danos diretos ao DNA, imunossupressão, eritema, queimaduras, espessamento da camada córnea da pele e por estimular a melanogênese (síntese de melanina pelos melanócitos) 1,9 .…”