SKIN SELF-EXAMINATION IN A POPULATION AT INCREASED RISK FOR SKIN-CANCER

This cross-sectional study examined predictors of skin self-examinatio n (SSE) in a population at increased risk for skin cancer. Subjects we re 384 hospital employees participating in a worksite skin cancer scre ening. Although 61% reported that they performed SSE at least once dur ing the past year, only 20% reported monthly SSE. Only a minority of t he subjects were knowledgeable about most of the recommended SSE steps . Based on behavioral self-regulation theory, multivariate analysis sh owed that a variety of psychological factors (including optimism, know ledge about SSE, perceived self-efficacy and number of reasons for doi ng SSE) correlated positively with frequency of SSE. Demographic varia bles accounted for about 6% of the variance in frequency of SSE. Overa ll, the variables in this model accounted for about 25% of the varianc e.