Predictors of gender differences in sunscreen use and screening outcome among skin cancer screening participants

This study identified predictors of sunscreen use in males and females and examined the extent to which gender differences in sunscreen use were associated with skin cancer screening outcomes. Subjects were 351 adult Southern California residents who participated in one of five free skin cancer screenings. Logistic regression models showed that sunscreen use was significantly associated with sex, personal and family history of skin cancer, and a sun sensitivity index. The latter three factors were found to be confounders of the sex-sunscreen use relationship. Whereas female use of sunscreen was best predicted by her sun sensitivity, male use of sunscreen was best predicted by a family history of skin cancer. Screening outcomes also varied by sex, suggesting that the interrelationships among gender, family history of skin cancer, and sun sensitivity have important implications for sunscreen use, which may in turn impact clinical outcomes.