Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Cancer Knowledge, Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Skin Lesion Diagnosis, and Malignancy Risk in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is one of the most significant risk factor for developing skin cancer, which poses a serious public health issue worldwide, especially within the Caucasian population (Narayanan et al., 2010). University students are considered a particularly high-risk group for both long- and short-term adverse effects of UVR due to their intensive solar UVR exposure and high rates of sunburn (Rocholl et al., 2021). Despite the availability of validated questionnaires for assessing sun exposure and sun protection behaviors, a comprehensive tool to measure skin cancer knowledge among German university students was missing. To address this gap, the study aimed to provide an overview of existing questionnaires on skin cancer and sun protection knowledge, translate and pilot- test a suitable questionnaire for German students, and assess their sun exposure and tanning behaviors. The researchers conducted a literature search, identifying 36 eligible studies that revealed four major topics: knowledge on skin cancer, risk factors, UVR, and sun protection measures. Based on these findings, the "Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale" (SCSK) was selected, translated into German using a systematic method, and pilot-tested on an opportunity sample of 107 German university students, selected by survey. The pilot study's internal reliability for the German SCSK was found to be Kuder-Richardson reliability score = 0.624, indicating reasonable reliability. The study's results showed that the level of knowledge about skin cancer and sun protection among the students was improvable. Specifically, there was no significant correlation between the students' knowledge level and their UVR exposure or tanning behavior. A significant knowledge gap was identified, with only 10% of participants recognizing that a tan is a sign of skin damage. This indicates a critical need for improved educational interventions targeting university students to enhance their understanding of skin cancer risks and the importance of sun protection measures. In conclusion, although the German version of the SCSK shows promise as a tool for assessing skin cancer and sun protection knowledge, its psychometric properties need further investigation. The findings from this study underscore the importance of developing robust educational strategies to address knowledge gaps and promote sun-safe behaviors among university students. Enhancing awareness and protective measures can significantly reduce the long-term risk of skin cancer in this vulnerable group.