Review identifies effective UVR exposure interventions
September 21, 2016
Abstract
Context
Skin cancer is a preventable and commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure is a known cause of skin cancer. This article presents updated results of two types of interventions evaluated in a previously published Community Guide systematic review: multicomponent community-wide interventions and mass media interventions when used alone.
Evidence acquisition
Studies assessing multicomponent community-wide and mass media interventions to prevent skin cancer by reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure were evaluated using Community Guide systematic review methods. Relevant studies published between 1966 and 2013 were included and analyzed for this review.
Evidence synthesis
Seven studies evaluating the effectiveness of multicomponent community-wide interventions showed a median increase in sunscreen use of 10.8 (interquartile interval=7.3, 23.2) percentage points, a small decrease in ultraviolet radiation exposure, a decrease in indoor tanning device use of 4.0 (95% CI=2.5, 5.5) percentage points, and mixed results for other protective behaviors. Four studies evaluating the effectiveness of mass media interventions found that they generally led to improved ultraviolet protection behaviors among children and adults.
Conclusions
The available evidence showed that multicomponent community-wide interventions are effective in reducing the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure by increasing sunscreen use. There was, however, insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of mass media interventions alone in reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure and increasing ultraviolet protection behaviors, indicating a continuing need for more research in this field to improve assessment of effectiveness.
Source:
Sandhu, PK, et al. Community-wide Interventions to Prevent Skin Cancer: Two Community Guide Systematic Reviews. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2016;51(4):531-539. http://www.sciencedirect.com/s...
Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, University of Otago researchers Associate Professor Antony Reeder and Bronwen McNoe were members of the Community Preventive Services Task Force that undertook a series of reviews, including this one.