The rapidly increasing skin cancer rates in Canada are alarming, with current data estimating that 1/3 of Canadians will be affected in their lifetime. Thus, deeper understanding of high-risk sun exposure behaviors is needed to help counter this trend. Only limited action has been taken by federal/provincial governments to reduce skin cancer incidence. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Manitoba, with frequency counts, means, and percentages used to encapsulate responses. Age- and gender-adjusted odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression analyses. Our study identified worrying inadequacies in sun protective behaviors and attitudes, with the threat of such high-risk behaviors amplified by a lack of skin cancer awareness. Alarming elements were noted in participants’ sun exposure history (>65% reported a history of sunburns, >50% previously used a tanning bed, and >75% recently tanned for pleasure), beliefs and attitudes (>50% believe that they look better/healthier with a tan, and >40% believe that having a base tan is protective against further sun damage), and sun protection efforts (sun protective clothing was used <60% of the time, sunscreen was used by <50%, and there was a lack of knowledge about sunscreen characteristics in ~30% of respondents), in addition to significant differences being established between demographic subgroups (based on gender, age, skin phototype, income, and education attained). This study provides worrisome insight onto the grim landscape of sun protective behaviors and attitudes in Manitoba, which will inevitably translate into higher skin cancer rates and should serve as a call to action to promote targeted public health messaging in this jurisdiction and beyond.
加拿大皮肤癌发病率迅速上升的态势令人担忧，最新数据显示该国约三分之一人口将在其一生中罹患皮肤癌。为遏制这一趋势，亟需深入理解高风险日晒行为。目前联邦及省级政府在降低皮肤癌发病率方面采取的措施仍显不足。我们在曼尼托巴省开展了一项横断面调查研究，采用频数统计、均值分析和百分比计算来整合调查反馈，并通过逻辑回归分析计算经年龄和性别校正的比值比。研究发现当地居民在防晒行为与认知方面存在令人忧虑的不足，而皮肤癌防治意识的匮乏更放大了高风险行为的危害性。具体表现在：日晒史方面（超65%曾有晒伤史，超50%曾使用美黑床，超75%近期为追求美观而主动晒黑）、认知态度方面（超50%认为晒黑后外表更佳/更健康，超40%认为基础肤色能预防进一步日晒损伤）以及防晒措施方面（防晒衣物使用率低于60%，防晒霜使用率不足50%，约30%受访者对防晒霜特性缺乏认知）。研究还发现不同人口统计学亚组（基于性别、年龄、皮肤光型、收入及教育程度）之间存在显著差异。这项研究揭示了曼尼托巴省防晒行为与认知领域的严峻现状，这种状况必将导致更高的皮肤癌发病率，应视为采取行动的警示，亟需在该地区乃至更广范围内推行精准化的公共卫生宣传。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家