Melanoma risk factors, perceived threat and intentional tanning: An international online survey

Richard Bränström*, Yu Mei Chang, Nadine Kasparian, Paul Affleck, Aad Tibben, Lisa G. Aspinwall, Esther Azizi, Orna Baron-Epel, Linda Battistuzzi, William Bruno, May Chan, Francisco Cuellar, Tadeusz Dȩbniak, Dace Pjanova, Sławomir Ertmański, Adina Figl, Melinda Gonzalez, Nicholas K. Hayward, Marko Hocevar, Peter A. KanetskySamantha L. Leaf, Frans A. Van Nieuwpoort, Olita Heisele, Jane Palmer, Barbara Peric, Susana Puig, Althea D. Ruffin, Dirk Schadendorf, Nelleke A. Gruis, Yvonne Brandberg, Julia Newton-Bishop

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma continues to increase in incidence in many countries, and intentional tanning is a risk factor for melanoma. The aim of this study was to understand how melanoma risk factors, perceived threat and preferences for a suntan relate to intentional tanning. Self-report data were collected on behalf of GenoMEL (www.genomel.org) from the general population using an online survey. A total of 8178 individuals completed the survey, with 72.8% of respondents being from Europe, 12.1% from Australia, 7.1% from the US, 2.5% from Israel and 5.5% from other countries. Seven percent of respondents had previously been diagnosed with melanoma and 8% had at least one first-degree relative with a previous melanoma. Overall, 70% reported some degree of intentional tanning during the past year, and 38% of respondents previously diagnosed with melanoma had intentionally tanned. The total number of risk factors was positively correlated with perceived risk of melanoma [correlation coefficient (ρ) = 0.27], and negatively correlated with intentional tanning (ρ = -0.16). Preference for a dark suntan was the strongest predictor of intentional tanning [regression coefficient (β) = 0.35, P<0.001], even in those with a previous melanoma (β = 0.33, P<0.01). A substantial proportion of participants reported having phenotypic and behavioural risk factors for melanoma. The preference regarding suntans seemed more important in the participants' decision to intentionally tan than their perceived risk of developing melanoma, and this finding was consistent among respondents from different countries. The drive to sunbathe to tan is a key factor to be moderated if melanoma incidence is to be reduced.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)216-226
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Familial risk
  • Intentional tanning
  • Melanoma
  • Perceived threat
  • Risk factors
  • Sunbathing
  • Suntan

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