Sun behaviour patterns and perception of illness among melanoma patients

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin tumours for which the major risk factor is ultraviolet radiation. Sun protection is extremely important, especially for melanoma patients who, once diagnosed with melanoma, have 500 times greater chance of developing another melanoma than the general population.

In this study, we examined the perception of melanoma and attitudes towards sun protection among melanoma patients and compared their results with the patients suffering from other dermatological disorders.

In total, 240 participants were included in the study: 120 patients suffering from melanoma and 120 participants in the control group. The Sun Behaviour Patterns Questionnaire and the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire were used in this study to assess sun behaviours and perception of melanoma.

Melanoma patients have negative attitude towards sunbathing: 57% avoid sunbathing and 27% spend time in the sun only during swimming, otherwise seeking shade, whereas participants in the control group have more positive attitude towards sunbathing. Results indicate very short time of using sunscreen protection during the year and very small number of people using adequate SPF value, in both melanoma and control group.

Participants in control group perceive melanoma as a more serious illness than patients who think that melanoma has mild symptoms, is easy to cure and control, has moderate consequences and lasts relatively long. Both melanoma patients and participants in the control group show relatively good sun behaviour patterns and slightly negative attitudes towards sun protection.