Using Vanity to Prevent Skin Cancer
Using Vanity to Prevent Skin Cancer
October 17, 2011
Business & Management, Medical Research
A new study conducted by researchers at BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management shows that stressing aging effects from sun exposure is more effective than talking about melanoma in anti-cancer education efforts.
Sun worshippers who care more about getting a tan to look attractive than the danger of skin cancer are more likely to beware if reminded that long-term tanning produces ugly wrinkles. Watch a video about this study.
The diagnosis of skin cancer among the Jewish population of Israel is among the highest in the Western world, causing the Ministry of Health and the Israel Cancer Association to invest in warning the public about the danger of sun exposure.
But these efforts, say researchers Mayan Korzitz, Prof. Yaniv Poriya and Prof. Daniel Vardi are not based on empirical studies on exposures to the sun.
The team decided to create a databank of information that would contribute to advancing healthy behavior and reduce skin cancer rates in the country. To understand when and how the individual regards sun exposure as dangerous, they conducted 31 in-depth interviews in a representative sample of adults. The second stage of their research was based on 353 thorough questionnaires.
They concluded that whether to expose one’s skin to the sun’s ultraviolet rays depended on the judgment and personal feelings of the individual. In addition, women are especially worried about the aesthetics of their skin and therefore can be persuaded to minimize tanning to escape needless wrinkles.
Those interviewed developed their own self-assessment mechanism on how much they have been exposed to the sun. The first measure was when they feel the sun’s warmth and define it as “burning” or “too hot.” Thus, for example, those in air conditioned or shaded areas don’t feel the heat and think they are protected. In the second, they see redness or sunburn on their skin. In the third, they are exposed at the beach or swimming pool between noon and 4 p.m.
Researchers say analysis found three distinct patterns.
- When they went to the beach or pool, they regarded sun exposure as being dangerous and automatically sought to protect themselves.
- When exposed to the sun during daily routines, those interviewed mostly didn’t bother to protect themselves from the sun.
- When they were on vacation abroad at the beach or pool, they spent an extended amount of time in the sun so they could return to Israel with a tan to show they had a “good time.”
Many Israelis admitted they are not really afraid of skin cancer and that it affects mostly older people.
The researchers said that the Israeli public shows “relative responsibility” at the beach or pool but “irresponsibility” during their daily routines.
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