Skin cancer prevention and detection practices in a Michigan farm population following an educational intervention

Farmers face an increased risk of skin cancer, presumed to be secondary to their increased occupational exposure to sunlight. This study examines skin cancer prevention and detection beliefs and practices among adult farmers in defined control and comparison farming communities in four contiguous counties of Michigan, before and after a community-based educational intervention. The educational intervention included mailing packets containing information on skin cancer risks and community sources for screening, disseminating articles in local newspapers on skin cancer prevention and control measures, and providing information and screening at local county fairs and agricultural community fairs. The responses of 2,999 survey participants were analyzed to identify the interrelationships among their beliefs and their descriptions of their (primary preventive) self-care and professional medical care seeking (for detection and treatment) practices. Factors associated with the likelihood of skin cancer screening and with measures of knowledge and practices associated with medical care of skin cancer were examined. The intervention appeared to improve the practice of preventive behaviors and seeking medical care.