UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Skin cancer is increasing and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In the Netherlands, incidence rates of skin cancer increase every year with approximately 3%. In order to develop effective prevention programs, a thorough understanding of the motivating determinants to use sun protection behaviors is needed. The present study was conducted to longitudinal identify demographic and psychosocial correlates of using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing.

Methods: Two longitudinal surveys were conducted among parents of children in different age groups. Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires.

Results: Seeking shade between 12 and 15 h (81%) was the most common method by parents to protect their children against the sun, followed by wearing protective clothing (77%) and using sunscreen PF 20+ (41%). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, higher levels of self-efficacy and greater willingness to use sunscreen were significant predictors of actual sunscreen use. Seeking shade was most strongly predicted by a higher level of education, wearing protective clothing and greater willingness to seek shade. The effect of intention on seeking shade is possibly mediated by social influences. Finally, cons of wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, using sunscreen and skin type of the parent most strongly predicted wearing protective clothing. Skin cancer prevention programs in the Netherlands should focus on stressing the relevance of all protective methods much more clearly. The results of both studies will be extensively presented.