UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were carried out among Dutch (Study1; N=500; aged 15-20 years) and Belgian adolescents (Study 2; N=602; aged 14-18 years) using the Integrated Model for Change integrating concepts from the Theory of Planned Action, TTM, Social Cognitive Theory and Goal Setting Theory.

Results: First, Dutch adolescents with the fairest skin type exposed themselves significantly less to the sun, but had more burns than groups with a darker skin type. Sunscreen was the most commonly used method by adolescents to protect themselves; 77% of adolescents frequently used this strategy. Sunscreen use was higher in females than in males, and was most strongly associated with positive intentions to use sunscreen, parental support, a positive attitude towards using sunscreen, support of friends and perceiving skin cancer risks. Second, the Belgian respondents showed a very high sun exposure. Using sunscreen every two hours was the most common used method of adolescents to protect themselves but 70% did not use sunscreen regularly. Female students used sunscreen more regularly than males. Third, the frequent use of sunscreen was associated with motivational factors, such as attitudes, social influences, and self-efficacy, but also by goal setting strategies such as action plans. The results suggest that more attention is needed for sun protection for adolescents since adolescents underestimate their risks, and report several skin cancer risk inducing behaviors.