Practices of sun protection after skin cancer surgery in Malta

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is well known to be linked to the development of skin cancer. Our study aims to identify changes in patient practices after being diagnosed with skin cancer. Moreover, we identify areas of improvement which clinicians and health care staff can work on to improve patient awareness of harmful effects of UV radiation.

METHODS: 97 patients who had a skin cancer procedure at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at Mater Dei Hospital, from January to March 2020, were included. Questionnaires were sent out, the data was anonymized and then inputted into an excel sheet.

RESULTS: A response rate of 63.9% was obtained. 51% of the patients stated that they avoided midday sun exposure before and after their surgical procedure and 24% started avoiding the midday sun after their cancer diagnosis. 48% of the patients used sun protective accessories before and after their surgery, 16% started using them after their surgery and 32% do not use accessories to protect themselves from the sun. 33% of the patients used sunblock before and after the procedure, 22% of them claimed that they started using sunblock after the surgery but 45% of them said that they do not use sunblock at all.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that a number of skin cancer patients are still not aware of the dangers of sun exposure. Therefore, more work needs to be done locally, not only in terms of primary prevention but also in secondary prevention following a skin cancer intervention.