Photoprotection practices, knowledge and sun-related skin damage in Spanish beach handball players

Abstract

Background Outdoor sports are a risk activity for skin cancer, especially if adequate sun protection measures are not used. The aim of this study is to examine the photoprotection habits of outdoor (beach) handball players, and to determine the relation between duration of sports practice, photoprotection behaviour and sun-related damage to the skin. Methods This cross-sectional study is based on a health survey of sun exposure and protection habits and practices conducted among beach handball players in southern Spain. This survey provided data for a descriptive and comparative analysis, by groups and gender, of photoprotection and skin self-examination practices. Results Among the whole sample, 76.9% had suffered at least one sunburn event during the last year. By groups, 73.97% of the older participants (Group I, University students) and 81.25% of the younger ones (Group II, youngers players) reported this outcome, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.003). With respect to photoprotection, 68.5% of the players in group I and 66.7% of those in group II used sun cream with a protection factor of 30 or higher, although 52.1% of group I and 35.4% of group II did not reapply it. As concerns self-examination, 94.5% of group I and 87.5% of group II had not examined their body for skin damage during the previous year. Medical examination revealed the presence of lentigines and freckles among many players, with no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions Beach handball players are highly exposed to the effects of ultraviolet radiation and often take insufficient measures of sun protection. Programmes should be designed and implemented to raise awareness among adolescent and young adult sport competitors of the risks of skin cancer associated with their sports activity and to encourage them to improve their photoprotection and skin monitoring practices.

What Sun Protection Practices Should Be Adopted by Trainee Teachers to Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer and Other Adverse Outcomes?

“…The failure to examine one’s own skin, or to have this done by a dermatologist, may result in a delayed diagnosis of cancer and possibly a poorer prognosis. This aspect of our study corroborates previous research conducted with young athletes [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…It was translated from English into Spanish by a group of experts, by consensus on the content of the items translated, and adapted for use with university students. In addition, the questionnaire was expanded with some further items recommended in the literature and considered relevant for this research [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Sun Exposure and Protection Practices of Spanish University Students of Education Sciences. Are Future Teachers Protected Against Skin Cancer and Other Adverse Effects?

“…The failure to examine one's own skin, or to have this done by a dermatologist, may result in a delayed diagnosis of cancer and possibly a poorer prognosis. This aspect of our study corroborates previous research conducted with young athletes [26,27].…”

“…It was translated from English into Spanish by a group of experts, by consensus on the content of the items translated and adapted for use with university students. In addition, the questionnaire was expanded with some further items recommended in the literature and considered relevant for this research [26][27][28]. Besides the items included in the questionnaire, the following information was obtained for each respondent: sociodemographic variables (age, sex, university subject studied and family history of skin cancer); sun exposure practices (number of hours exposed to the sun, between 10 am and 4 pm, during the week and at weekends); number of sunburn episodes in the last year (defined as pain and redness of the skin lasting more than one day); sun protection measures when exposed to the sun, such as making use of shade, wearing sunglasses, a cap or hat, a long-sleeved t-shirt and long trousers; type of skin (Fitzpatrick phototype) [11]; use of sunscreen cream, its protection factor and rate of reapplication; regular personal skin examination and visits to a dermatologist; diagnosis, if any, of skin cancer; outdoor physical activity (hours per day); during physical activity, use of sunscreen, its protection factor and rate of reapplication.…”

UV protection for young athletes: using participatory program planning to develop a sports schools program

“…Many health behaviors are formed and established in this period of life, stressing the importance of interventions promoting health behavior to address children and adolescents as target groups [5]. Especially athletes of outdoor sports are exposed to a high dose of UV radiation [6][7][8][9][10]. Mahé et al [11] found that young outdoor athletes had a significantly higher increase of nevi over 2 years than children who did not exercise outdoors.…”