UV Exposure

UV Rays
UVA rays = aging of skin cells and can cause some damage to cells' DNA. (getting wrinkles on the skin) UVB rays = direct damage to the DNA, and are the rays that cause sunburns. (Mutate the DNA which can cause cancer.)

Why is UV exposure important?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in U. S. 1.3 million new cases and 9,800 deaths in the U.S. per year Melanoma = deadliest form 75% of skin cancer deaths Up to 70% may be triggered by a gene mutation that causes cells to become cancerous after excessive exposure to the sun Most common cancer among women between ages 25 and 29 50% increase in last 25 years Largely preventable Other skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma

Died of melanoma

Why is UV exposure important?

Skin cancer is rising in adults younger than 40
Primarily among women

Men's sun protection behaviors have fallen, while women's remain stable

The ABCDs of Skin Cancer

A Asymmetry B Border C Color varies D Diameter (larger than an pencil era
Swelling, change in sensation(itchy/tender/pain), change in surface of mole

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) #1 cause Artificially-produced UVR Genetics Light skin, hair, eye color History of sunburns early in life Large numbers of moles Location of work and home Genetics play a role

Skin Cancer Rates & Disparities Latinos

Racial and ethnic minorities are at lower risk. However

Persons of color are diagnosed at more advanced stages Latinos engage in more sun risk behavior (2.5 times more likely to use tanning beds)

Latinos engage in less sun-protection behavior (less likely to wear protective clothing)

Skin Protection
Minimizing UV exposure Avoid tanning beds Protective clothing (dry, dark, woven fabric is more protective) Sunscreens with at least SPF 15 Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours & after getting wet

Students Reporting UV Exposure

Males Females

Spent over 20 hours/week in sun last summer Used a tanning booth in last year

61% 53%

24% 72% 48% 30% 55% 6%

Received at least 7 significant sunburns 51% before 18 Use sunscreen only occasionally or less often Use sunscreen with SPF level below 15 Use protective clothing at least 50% of time 40% 65% 39%

Tanning Salons
Baking under their artificial lamps as little as once a month can boost your risk of a deadly form of skin cancer by 55% -- and the danger is even greater when done in early adulthood

Appearance-Based Interventions
Motivation for tanning: attractiveness
Are tanners aware of risk? Yes, but benefits are immediate risks are distal perceived benefits outweigh risks Photoaging premature age skin (wrinkling), unattractive liver spots/dark patches caused by UV exposure

Tanning and Wrinkles

Using UV Photography to Reduce Use of Tanning Booths

Gibbons et al., 2004
Ps: male and female undergraduates 2 conditions: UV vs No UV photo UV included two minute presentation: photoaging skin cancer most damage before adulthood DVs: tanning cognitions (attitudes, perceived vulnerability, prototypes, willingness) and behavior (booth use)

UV Photography

Using UV Photography to Reduce Use of Tanning Booths

Gibbons et al. Results
Ps who viewed their UV photo reported less tanning booth use 4 weeks later (controlling for baseline booth use) Change in behavior was mediated by tanning cognitions After the intervention, UV photo P's reported less favorable attitudes and prototypes, more Perceived vulnerability, and less willingness compared to No UV photo P's At Time 2, the UV effect was still significant on Perceived vulnerability and marginally significant on attitudes. Higher effect on women than men.

Using UV Photography to Reduce Outdoor UV Exposure

Mahler et al., 2003
Ps: adult beach-goers 2 x 2 design (two independent variables) Informational brochure (photoaging, its links with sun exposure, and methods of prevention) vs No brochure UV vs No UV photo DVs: intentions to protect skin (use sunscreen, wear a hat, etc), sun exposure, and sun protection

Using UV Photography to Reduce Outdoor UV Exposure

Mahler et al. Results
Intentions to use sunscreen (Time 1) P's who saw their UV photo or who received photo aging info reported greater intentions than those who did not Sun exposure and protection (Time 2) Ps who received photoaging info subathed less than those who did not receive the info Those who received photoaging info plus UV photo reported the lowest levels of sunbathing

Using UV Photos & Videos to Change UV Behavior

1. Make consequences of UV exposure evident and immediate 2. Change attitudes toward tanning 3. Change image of tanning (prototype) 4. Change willingness to be exposed to sun

Effective UV Intervention on Outdoor Workers

148 Male DOT workers without skin cancer High-risk = 80% reported never or only occasionally using sunscreen Control/ No-UV aging vs Cancer video UV photo UV photo + Cancer Video T1 = pre-intervention T2 = 1-year follow-up

Measures
Previous history of skin cancer, years working outdoors, age, eye and skin color, skin sensitivity (control variables) Sun protection (7-items)
Self-report: Sunscreen use, Wearing protective clothing Skin tone (assessed with a spectrophotometer on the arm and face, allowing for an objective and reliable quantification of skin color)

Sun-related cognitions (11-items)

Perceptions of vulnerability to skin cancer/damage, negative sunscreen attitudes, and sunscreen user and tanner prototypes

DOT Results
The intervention condition(s) predicted a significant decrease in sun-related cognitions. Safer cognitions and higher perceived vulnerability
This decrease predicted an increase in sun protection.

The control condition did not change their cognitions or behaviors.

Additional Predictors of Sunscreen Use

High-risk skin type Female (men are less likely to use sunscreen) Skin cancer (self or close other) Internal LOCus of control. (believing you have control over things that happen to you. as opposed to external like luck) Aware of changing norms regarding sunscreen use Peers and family