1 Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical
Faculty ... 3 Association of Dermatological Prevention, Buxtehude, Germany.
Skin cancer prevention: What kind of people expose themselves to unnecessary ultraviolet radiation by using sunbeds? Christina Huy1, Katharina Diehl1, Eckhard W. Breitbart2,3, Rüdiger Greinert2,3, Sven Schneider1,4 1 Mannheim
Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany Center, Elbeklinikum Buxtehude, Germany of Dermatological Prevention, Buxtehude, Germany 4 Competence Center for Social Medicine and Occupational Health Promotion, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany 2 Dermatology 3 Association
Quelle: http://p4.focus.de/img/gen/8/T/HB8T13j9_Pxgen_r_1100xA.jpg
Background Skin cancer incidence is dramatically rising in Germany and other developed countries. In Germany, more than 16,000 new cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed every year. One of the most important risk factors for skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with an attributable risk of 80% to 90%. Apart from direct sunlight exposure, sunbeds are an important but easily avoidable source of UVR that increase the risk of skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the use of UVR-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic. To date, little is known about the prevalence and practice of sunbed use and the user characteristics in Germany.
Methods The Mannheim Institute of Public Health (MIPH) is currently conducting a population-based study on this topic in collaboration with the Association of Dermatological Prevention (ADP). The project was preceded by a pilot study in the Mannheim region in 2008 (n=500). The aim of the so called SUN-Study (Sunbed Use: Needs for Action) is to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with sunbed use in a representative sample in Germany. During summer and winter 2011, 4,500 persons aged 14 to 45 will be interviewed by telephone using a standardized questionnaire. Participants will provide data on past and current sunbed use, psychological aspects like motivation, risk awareness and tanorexia (addictive sunbed use), skin type, family history of skin cancer, awareness of legal regulations as well as health behavior and demographic characteristics (Fig. 1). Based on that information, a typology of sunbed users will be prepared.
Results The pilot study showed an overall prevalence of 21% current sunbed users among the 18- to 45-year olds in Mannheim (Fig. 2). The typical sunbed user was female, employed, had completed vocational school, smoked, participated primarily in individual sport activities and had skin type III or IV (Tab. 1). The SUN-Study will add more information on the prevalence and characteristics of sunbed users, in particular for underage persons. In this context, the effect of the legal regulation passed in 2009 that prohibits sunbed use for underage persons will also be investigated.
Discussion The SUN-Study is one of the first studies that investigate the use of sunbeds in Germany. The results may contribute to a better understanding of the numerous reasons why people expose themselves to unnecessary UVR by using sunbeds. These might be good starting points for future interventions to prevent skin cancer and other health risks attributable to UVR.
Acknowledgement This project is supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe .
Fig. 1 Topics of the SUN-Study 2012 Prevalence and practice of sunbed use
Fig. 2 Prevalence of sunbed use in 2008
- Life-time prevalence - 1- to 12-month prevalence - Settings - Usage of protective goggles - Advisory services
Months since last visit 12.5% 4.9% 1.0% 2.6%
Biography of sunbed use
- Initiation age - Frequency - Duration - Changes in sunbed use
Psychosocial aspects and classifications
- Motivation - Risk awareness - Tanorexia - Classification of sunbed use
Individual skin cancer risk
- Skin type - Sunburn - Malignant melanoma
Legal regulations
- Awareness - Endorsement - Sources of information
25.7%
Health behavior
- Diet - Exercise - Smoking
Demographic characteristics
- Age, gender - Migration background - Socioeconomic status
≤1 >1–≤3 >3–≤6 >6–≤12
Current user Ever user Past user
>12
53.3%
Never user
100%
Planned for n=4,500. 14- to 45-year-old persons in Germany.
n=500. 18- to 45-year-old persons from the Mannheim region.
Tab. 1 Characteristics associated with current sunbed use in 2008 Bivariate analysis
Multivariate analysis
n
Proportion
p
OR [95%-CI]
Gender Male Female
p
257 243
16.0% 26.6%
