‘Honey, remember the sunscreen!’ Three beliefs that have an effect on sunscreen use by older adults

Reminders from a romantic associate may be an efficient solution to encourage sunscreen use by individuals age 50 or older, suggests a examine within the Might/June problem of The Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Affiliation.

Individuals over 50 are additionally extra probably to make use of sunscreen in the event that they imagine it prevents sunburn—whereas those that suppose sunscreen “takes an excessive amount of time” are much less prone to apply it, in accordance with the brand new analysis, led by Daybreak M. Holman, MPH, of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

The researchers carried out a survey examine inspecting beliefs about sunscreen use amongst non-Hispanic White adults 50 or older. The examine targeted on White adults as a result of they’re extra prone to have a historical past of sunburn and extra prone to be identified with pores and skin most cancers, in comparison with older adults of different races and ethnicities.

The results of frequent beliefs about sunscreen use had been analyzed, with adjustment for age, intercourse, training, and geographic location. The evaluation additionally thought of the results of pores and skin most cancers threat rating, based mostly on elements reminiscent of pores and skin and hair colour, means to tan, and historical past of sunburn.

Of 237 survey respondents, about 31 % mentioned they typically or all the time used sunscreen “when exterior through the summer season on a heat sunny day for greater than an hour.” That fee was just like findings of nationwide surveys of sunscreen use.

Girls and respondents with some school training had been extra prone to be common sunscreen customers. About 46% of contributors with a excessive pores and skin most cancers threat rating mentioned they typically or all the time used sunscreen, in comparison with 27% of these at medium threat and 21% of these at low threat.

After adjustment for different elements, three beliefs had been independently related to sunscreen use:

• Respondents who believed that sunscreen use would stop sunburn had been 84% extra prone to say they “typically or all the time” used sunscreen. In distinction, the assumption that sunscreen use may stop pores and skin most cancers was not a major issue.
• Individuals who thought that placing on sunscreen “takes an excessive amount of time” had been 35% much less prone to say they used sunscreen repeatedly on sunny days.
• Individuals who believed their romantic companions thought they need to use sunscreen had been 72% extra prone to report utilizing sunscreen typically or all the time.

Though adults aged 50 and older are at elevated threat for pores and skin most cancers, “major pores and skin most cancers prevention efforts have largely ignored this demographic group,” Holman and coauthors write. Pores and skin most cancers threat is affected by lifetime historical past of solar publicity however will also be influenced by occasions occurring at older ages. The brand new examine is the primary to concentrate on beliefs affecting sunscreen use amongst older White adults.

The authors recommend some messages which will assist to advertise sunscreen use on this age group:

• Specializing in the quick advantages of sunscreen use. Reminders about stopping sunburn immediately may be simpler than fascinated by the long-term dangers of pores and skin most cancers.
• Selecting merchandise that meet the person’s preferences. Individuals who suppose making use of sunscreen takes an excessive amount of time may favor strong stick or spray-on sunscreen formulations that may be rapidly utilized to massive areas of pores and skin.
• Encouraging reminders from spouses/important others. New messages and intervention approaches inviting older adults “to encourage their associate to interact in sun-safe behaviors with them” may enhance charges of normal sunscreen use.