SKIN-CANCER PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION INTENTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

This longitudinal study examined predictors of (1) skin cancer prevent ion and early detection intentions and (2) compliance with recommendat ion for medical follow-up for suspicious skin lesions. Subjects were 3 24 hospital employees who were at increased risk for skin cancer and w ho participated in a worksite skin cancer screening program. Based on behavioral self-regulation theory and the Health Belief Model, multiva riate analyses showed that optimism, perceived risk, reasons for doing skin self-examination (SSE), and SSE frequency prior to screening wer e the best predictors of intentions to engage in future health promoti on behaviors (i.e., monthly SSE, regular sunscreen use, and participat ion in a skin cancer screening program the following year). Although o ur results also showed that optimism, reasons for doing SSE, and SSE f requency were the best predictors of compliance with medical follow-up , these three variables accounted for only a small amount of the varia nce in compliance with recommended follow-up care.