Table 3.
Respondents knowledge of the risk factors associated with developing skin cancer and the advice they offer patients
| % | n | |
|---|---|---|
| The risk of developing skin cancer increases with…' | ||
| An outdoor occupation | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 76 | 89 |
| Neutral | 20 | 23 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 4 | 5 |
| An indoor occupation and holidays in the sun once or twice a year (beach, skiing, outdoor etc.) | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 71 | 82 |
| Neutral | 21 | 24 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 8 | 9 |
| Repeated incidents of having sunburn as a child | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 88 | 104 |
| Neutral | 11 | 13 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 1 | 1 |
| A history of using UV tanning beds | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 93 | 110 |
| Neutral | 6 | 7 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 1 | 1 |
| More than 50 moles | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 56 | 65 |
| Neutral | 38 | 45 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 6 | 7 |
| More than 100 moles | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 69 | 78 |
| Neutral | 27 | 31 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 4 | 4 |
| A history of at least one pre-cancerous or cancerous skin lesion | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 92 | 109 |
| Neutral | 6 | 7 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 2 | 2 |
| A first degree relative with a history of at least one pre-cancerous or cancerous skin lesion | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 69 | 82 |
| Neutral | 22 | 26 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 8 | 10 |
| Freckles and/or red hair | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 37 | 36 |
| Neutral | 51 | 49 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 12 | 12 |
| Blue or green eyes | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 10 | 12 |
| Neutral | 65 | 75 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 25 | 29 |
| Fair skin | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 58 | 69 |
| Neutral | 34 | 40 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 8 | 9 |
| A history of long-term use of drugs with known side-effects of photosensitivity | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 66 | 77 |
| Neutral | 32 | 37 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 3 | 3 |
| Thinning or balding hair | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 45 | 53 |
| Neutral | 42 | 50 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 13 | 15 |
| A skin lesion should be considered 'suspicious' if… | % | n |
| It has uneven colour | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 72 | 84 |
| Neutral | 23 | 27 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 4 | 5 |
| It is asymmetrical | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 73 | 85 |
| Neutral | 22 | 25 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 5 | 6 |
| It has changed in size (growing) | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 95 | 114 |
| Neutral | 2 | 2 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 3 | 4 |
| It has changed in shape (irregular border) | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 97 | 113 |
| Neutral | 2 | 2 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 1 | 1 |
| It has changed in colour (including several different colours) | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 93 | 112 |
| Neutral | 4 | 5 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 3 | 3 |
| It has a crusty keratinised surface | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 71 | 82 |
| Neutral | 22 | 26 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 7 | 8 |
| It bleeds | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 95 | 110 |
| Neutral | 3 | 3 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 3 | 3 |
| It appeared recently | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 71 | 82 |
| Neutral | 24 | 28 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 5 | 6 |
| It has a raised surface | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 55 | 66 |
| Neutral | 32 | 38 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 13 | 15 |
| It itches | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 78 | 91 |
| Neutral | 17 | 20 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 4 | 5 |
| The patient is concerned about it | ||
| Strongly agree/agree | 73 | 85 |
| Neutral | 25 | 29 |
| Disagree/strongly disagree | 3 | 3 |
| Do you advise your patients on… | % | n |
| The risks of sun exposure | ||
| Yes | 33 | 39 |
| No | 67 | 78 |
| The risks of using UV sunbeds | ||
| Yes | 37 | 43 |
| No | 63 | 74 |
| Using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 | ||
| Yes | 32 | 36 |
| No | 68 | 78 |
| Other factors that can increase photosensitivity (E.g. some antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-malarial medications etc.) | ||
| Yes | 14 | 16 |
| No | 86 | 96 |
| Have you ever been asked for advice on preventing skin cancer by your patients? | ||
| Yes | 7 | 8 |
| No | 93 | 108 |