“Let’s Talk about Skin Cancer”: Examining Association between Family Communication about Skin Cancer, Perceived Risk, and Sun Protection Behaviors

Abstract

Family communication about skin cancer risk may motivate protective behaviors. However, it is unclear how widespread such communication might be. In this study, we describe prevalence and patterns (across environmental, personal, and behavioral factors) of family communication about skin cancer across N = 600 diverse (79% female, 48% Hispanic, 44% non-Hispanic White) primary care patients from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a geographical location with year-round sun exposure. Over half reported discussing general cancer (77%) and skin cancer risks (66%) with their families. The most frequent target of skin cancer risk communication included doctors (54%), followed by friends/coworkers (49%), spouse/partner (43%), other family members (38%), sisters (36%), mothers (36%), daughters (33%), sons (32%), father (24%), and brothers (22%). On average, participants reported having talked to three family members about skin cancer risks. The most frequently discussed content of skin cancer risk communication was the use of sun protection (89%), followed by the personal risk of skin cancer (68%), who had skin cancer in the family (60%), family risk of skin cancer (59%), time of sun exposure (57%), and skin cancer screening (57%). A family or personal history of cancer, higher perceived risk, higher health literacy, being non-Hispanic, having higher education or income, and proactive sun protective behavior were associated with greater family communication about general cancer and skin cancer risks. These study findings have implications for interventions that encourage discussions about skin cancer risk, sun protection, and skin cancer screening that lead to adoption of sun-safe behaviors.

Acknowledgments

Financial support for this study was provided by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, NIH R01 CA181241 to Jennifer Hay and Marianne Berwick (MPIs). Additionally, this research was partially supported by the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Grant NCI P30CA118100 and the Behavioral Measurement and Population Sciences shared resource. We also acknowledge the MSK Support/Core Grant (NCI P30CA008748). Finally, we thank Ms. Fiona Puccio for her administrative help in completing the manuscript. The funding agreement ensured the authors’ independence in designing the study, interpreting the data, writing, and publishing the report.

Disclosure Statement

The Authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute [R01 CA181241]; National Cancer Institute [P30CA008748, P30CA118100].