Improving Skin Cancer and Sun Protective Counseling: Exploring Level of Knowledge and Risk Among Rural Patients

Letter to Editor

J Fam Med. 2024; 11(3): 1359.

Improving Skin Cancer and Sun Protective Counseling: Exploring Level of Knowledge and Risk Among Rural Patients

Maloney ME¹*; Miller TJ²

¹Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA

²Southern Family Medicine, Claxton, GA, USA

*Corresponding author: Maloney ME Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. Email: mcmaloney@augusta.edu

Received: March 05, 2024 Accepted: April 10, 2024 Published: April 17, 2024

Letter to Editor,

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States, affecting approximately 20% of Americans, with rates increasing annually [1]. By 2040, malignant melanoma is projected to be the second leading cancer [2]. While the majority of skin cancers have low morbidity and mortality, malignant melanoma causes significant morbidity and mortality, accounting for 80% of skin cancer related deaths [3]. Because early-stage melanomas have improved outcomes, early detection and treatment is imperative. However, the 2023 United States Preventative Task Force (USPTF) called for more research in order to determine skin cancer screening recommendations and made a grade B recommendation for counseling 6-month to 24-year-olds regarding minimizing exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation with fair skin to prevent skin cancer [4].

There are no current guidelines on skin cancer and sun protection counseling. Therefore, counseling varies based on the provider and patient. Further, while the USPTF recommendation specifies counseling among fair skinned individuals, other at-risk groups such as agriculture workers may benefit from counseling. Therefore, we surveyed family medicine patients regarding their level of risk and knowledge regarding skin cancer and sun protection in order to understand how best to tailor counseling. At a family practice in southeastern rural Georgia, patients were offered a survey including demographic information, skin cancer risk factors, and current level of sun protection and skin cancer knowledge, Table 1. Participants were over the age of 18 and were given sunscreen samples and an informational handout upon completion.

Citation:Maloney ME, Miller TJ. Improving Skin Cancer and Sun Protective Counseling: Exploring Level of Knowledge and Risk Among Rural Patients. J Fam Med. 2024; 11(3): 1359.