Skin Cancer Risk Perception and Sunscreen Use in Adolescent Female Soccer Athletes

Over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in female adolescents aged 15-19 years. The greatest risk factor for skin cancer is ultraviolet rays from the sun. Research has shown that sunscreen use is protective of all skin cancers, especially-melanoma. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions about risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use among 13-to 18-year-old adolescent female club soccer athletes as a basis for effective interventions to improve sunscreen use in this population. A mailed Health Belief Model-based survey was used in this descriptive, correlational study of adolescent female soccer athletes in a San Diego club. Study findings suggested considerable differences in overall participant perceptions of skin cancer risk and in sunscreen use. Athleteswho applied sunscreen before games were 2.4 times more likely to also apply sunscreen before practices. Significant positive correlations were found between sunscreen use and perceived susceptibility and benefit subscale scores as well as with parentandteammateencouragement to apply sunscreen. The findings of this study validate the need for sunscreen application education for this large, growing, sun-exposed adolescent population.