Sun-related behaviors of outdoor working men with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer

Abstract

The present study describes sun exposure and sun protection behaviors of northern Australian outdoor workers with previous non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In 1999 a cross-sectional study of northern Australian men with previous NMSC was conducted by self-administered questionnaire. Compared to other men, outdoor workers spent more time in the sun on average working days and days off (P < 0.0001, respectively), and outdoor workers with sun-sensitive skin reported that more skin lesions had been removed (P = 0.0461). The workplace did not reinforce sun-safe practices of 36.8% of workers who spent half their time or more outdoors. Sun-protective behaviors were not different between in- and outdoor workers. Outdoor workers experienced high levels of sun exposure, however, sun-protective behavior was similar to other workers. Workplaces should be targeted to reinforce sun-safe policies.