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Health Education Research Advance Access originally published online on January 11, 2005
Health Education Research 2005 20(5):579-585; doi:10.1093/her/cyh010
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Health Education Research Vol.20 no.5, © Oxford University Press 2005; All rights reserved

SunSmart? Skin cancer knowledge and preventive behaviour in a British population representative sample

A. Miles1,3, J. Waller1, S. Hiom2 and D. Swanston2

1 Health Behaviour Unit, Cancer Research UK, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College, London WC1E 6BT and 2 Communications Department, Cancer Research UK, 61 Lincolns Inn Field, London WC2A 3PX, UK

3 Correspondence to: A. Miles; E-mail: A.Miles{at}ucl.ac.uk

The incidence of skin cancer has risen rapidly in the UK over the last 20 years, prompting public health organizations to try and raise awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and the need to practice sun-safe behaviour. This study aimed to assess baseline levels of sun-safe knowledge and behaviour in a British population-representative sample, prior to the launch of Cancer Research UK's ‘SunSmart’ campaign. A face-to-face survey was conducted through the Office for National Statistics as part of their Omnibus survey. In total, 1848 men and women aged 18 and over were interviewed. Knowledge of what to do to reduce skin cancer risk was modest. Two-thirds mentioned avoiding the sun by seeking shade, 50% mentioned covering up and only 43% said to use high factor sunscreen. Practice of sun-safe behaviours was also poor, with only one-third saying they sought shade, covered up or used high factor sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun. Men and those from lower socioeconomic groups were least informed and least likely to report using sun-protective behaviours. Increases in both knowledge and use of appropriate sun-protective behaviours are needed if skin cancer incidence rates are to decrease.


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Home page
 The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of HealthHome page
T. Hedges and A. Scriven
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The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, July 1, 2008; 128(4): 164 - 169.
[Abstract] [PDF]


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