Premium
Skin cancer knowledge and photoprotective practices of organ transplant recipients
Author(s) -
Traboulsi Danya,
Potok Olivia V.,
Ruzycki Shan M.,
Surmanowicz Philip,
Hardin Jori,
Khokhar Bushra,
Rabi Doreen M.,
Hazlewood Glen,
Mydlarski Paule Régine
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.13524
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , organ transplantation , skin cancer , dermatology , transplantation , surgery
Background Long‐term use of immunosuppressive medications by organ transplant recipients (OTRs) leads to an increased risk of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The objective of this study was to assess photoprotective knowledge and practices among OTRs and to identify predictors of poor sunscreen adherence and barriers to photoprotection. Methods A written survey was administered to 300 solid OTRs attending the Southern Alberta Transplant Program. Demographics, transplant and NMSC history, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, photoprotective knowledge and practices, and barriers to implementing photoprotection were collected. Relevant statistical analyses and univariate and multivariable regression models on sunscreen use were performed. Results One hundred and seventy‐nine of the 300 respondents reported not using sunscreen most days despite 79.3% recalling have received photoprotection education. Of the surveyed OTRs, 45.7% reported no barriers to implementing photoprotective practices. On average, respondents scored 74.5% on a commonly used tool to assess photoprotective knowledge (SD 30.6%). In multivariable analyses, older age, male gender, and lack of post‐secondary education were associated with lower rates of self‐reported sunscreen use. The most commonly patient‐reported barriers to photoprotection were “hassle/time consuming” (16.7%) and “sunscreen is uncomfortable or unpleasant” (10.0%). Conclusions Despite OTRs self‐reporting having received sufficient sun‐protective knowledge and demonstrating reasonable recollection of photoprotective education on assessment, implementation of sun protection in the studied OTRs remains suboptimal.