Faculty Collaboration Database

Behavior modification and risk perception in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer. WMJ 2008 Apr;107(2):62-8

Date

07/03/2008

Pubmed ID

18593080

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3590063

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-42149137951 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   24 Citations

Abstract

CONTEXT: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer among humans, yet risk perceptions and preventive health behaviors in those who survive this cancer are relatively unknown.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of the disease and its treatment on sun-protective behaviors, general preventive health behaviors, and risk perception in NMSC patients, and to determine factors associated with behavioral change.

DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study was conducted of 211 consecutive NMSC patients presenting to a dermatologic surgery clinic at a tertiary care university medical center from February 2005 to March 2006. These patients were all adults, were fluent in English, and had NMSC of the head and neck. Of the 211 eligible patients, complete data was obtained for 183 (87%). The most common reasons for dropout were voluntary withdrawal and incompletely answered surveys.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Surveys that assessed disease-specific quality of life (QoL), preventive health behaviors, sun-protective behaviors, and risk perception were administered before and after surgical treatment of NMSC.

RESULTS: Sun-protective behaviors improved postsurgery even after controlling for seasons (P<0.001). Predictor factors associated with increased sun-protective behavior included poor skin tanning ability, summer season, no employment, less comorbid conditions, and previous NMSC treatment. Baseline QoL was not predictive of behavioral change. As for risk perception, respondents thought they were more likely than someone similar to themselves to develop future NMSCs but thought they had similar risks of developing melanoma or other non-skin cancers (P<0.001). NMSC patients demonstrated disease-specific behavior modifications by selectively improving their sun habits but showed no significant improvement in other preventive health behaviors. This finding is consistent with patients' specific perception of increased risk for future NMSCs, but surprisingly, not for melanoma. Increased patient education of associated cancer risks with NMSC is warranted.

CONCLUSIONS: NMSC patients demonstrated disease-specific behavior modifications by selectively improving their sun habits but showed no significant improvement in other preventive health behaviors. This finding is consistent with patients' specific perception of increased risk for future NMSCs, but surprisingly, not for melanoma. Increased patient education of associated cancer risks with NMSC is warranted.

Author List

Rhee JS, Davis-Malesevich M, Logan BR, Neuburg M, Burzynski M, Nattinger AB

Authors

Brent R. Logan PhD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Ann B. Nattinger MD, MPH Associate Provost, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
John S. Rhee MD Chair, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Behavior Therapy
Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Perception
Prospective Studies
Risk
Skin Neoplasms
Sunburn