Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Level and Dermatoscopic Examination Results of Outdoor and Indoor Athletes: A Cross-sectional Research

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Arslan E., Çelik H. H. A., Cinkara O., Ercan S., Gönendi F. E. B., Çetin C.

Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology, cilt.16, sa.4, ss.86-93, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Background: Adult athletes’ knowledge of skin cancer, the effects of sun rays and sun protection, and their dermatological exposure levels are not known clearly. Particularly, athletes who train outdoors are exposed to sunlight for long periods. This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of adult licensed athletes over 18 years old about sun and skin cancer and to evaluate skin findings by dermatoscopic examination.

Materials and Methods: Adult licensed athletes between the ages of 18-45 in our province were included in the study. Participants’ demographic data, sports disciplines, training, and license periods were recorded. Afterward, the “Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale” was applied to the participants. Volunteers among the participants who filled out the scale were included in the dermatoscopic examination.

Results: Two hundred licensed athletes [126 (63%) male, 74 (37%) female] were included in the study. The mean age of the athletes was 21.44±0.29 years, mean height 174.80±0.66 cm, mean weight 67.86±0.87 kg, mean body mass index 22.07±0.19 kg/m2 , mean training duration 8.66±0.37 hours/week and mean license duration 7.71±0.26 years. Of the participating athletes, 111 (55.5%) train indoors and 89 (44.5%) outdoors. The mean score of all athletes “Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale” was 13.34±0.22. The indoor athletes’ mean score was significantly higher (13.85±0.28 vs 12.72±0.34; p=0.018). Of 40 athletes (indoor athletes n=23; outdoor athletes n=17) who were examined with dermatoscopy, 92.5% (n=37) had melanocytic skin findings, 55% (n=22) had inflammatory skin findings, and 40% (n=16) had non-inflammatory skin findings. In terms of dermatoscopic examination findings, there was no difference between athletes training indoors and outdoors (p˃0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the level of knowledge of adult athletes in our city about sun and skin cancer is very low. There is a need to increase the knowledge level of all athletes, especially outdoor athletes, about the harmful effects of the sun.

Keywords: Athlete, Skin cancer, Sun, Knowledge, Dermatoscopic examination