Photoprotection knowledge from patients assisted in a specialized skin cancer consultation

Abstract

Background: the purpose of photoprotection is the prophylaxis and repair of damage caused by solar radiation. Objective: to determine the level of knowledge about photoprotection from patients treated for skin cancer at the University Polyclinic "Aquiles Espinosa Salgado" from Las Tunas municipality, between October 2021 and October 2022. Methods: a prospective, descriptive study was carried out in 910 patients with manifestations of any form of photo damage, attended in the office and during the period of time defined above. The variables studied included knowledge about causes of skin cancer and other damages caused by the sun, nevi alarm elements, sun photoprotection measures, beneficial and harmful effects of the sun, reasons for not regularly using photoprotection and sources of information for such knowledge. Results: the total number of patients recognized what causes skin cancer and other sun damages, 94.2 % has knowledge about the warning elements of nevi and 90.7 % about sunburn. All patients knew about photoprotection measures. 88.1 % reported that products useful for protection are not available on the formal domestic market. 42.7 % recognize that the sun is involved in the synthesis of vitamin D as a beneficial effect and 94.1 % as a cause of premature aging. The main channels for obtaining information were the mass media (89.7 %) and health personnel (80.8 %). Conclusions: most patients have adequate knowledge about photoprotection.

Keywords

• dermatología
• neoplasias cutáneas
• lentigo