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. 2017 Dec;140(6):e20171680.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-1680. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Counseling on Sun Protection and Indoor Tanning

Sophie J Balk  1 , Elizabeth A Gottschlich  2 , Dawn M Holman  3 , Meg Watson  3
Affiliations

Counseling on Sun Protection and Indoor Tanning

Sophie J Balk et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends clinical counseling for individuals ages 10 to 24 years to decrease skin cancer risk.

Methods: A national, random sample of US American Academy of Pediatrics members practicing primary care in 2002 (response rate 55%) and 2015 (response rate 43%). Surveys explored attitudes and experiences regarding sun protection counseling; indoor tanning questions were added in 2015. χ2 tests compared demographics and counseling responses across years, and multivariable logistic regression models examined counseling predictors.

Results: More pediatricians in 2015 (34%) than in 2002 (23%) reported discussing sun protection during recent summer months with ≥75% of patients. This pattern held across all patient age groups (each P <.001). Female and suburban pediatricians counseled more; those in the South and West counseled less. More pediatricians in 2015 than in 2002 named time as a barrier. Sun protection ranked lowest among preventive topics in both years. In 2015, approximately one-third of pediatricians reported discussing indoor tanning at least once with 10 to 13 year-old patients; approximately half discussed this with older adolescents. Most (70%) did not know if their states had laws on minors' indoor tanning access; those stating they knew whether a law existed counseled more.

Conclusions: Although improved, sun protection counseling rates remain low. Indoor tanning counseling can be improved. Because early-life exposure to UV radiation increases risk and clinician counseling can positively impact prevention behaviors, pediatricians have an important role in skin cancer prevention; counseling may save lives. Time constraints remain a barrier.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Percent of pediatricians rating topics as “important/very important” (2015 data only). STI, sexually transmitted infection.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Percent of pediatricians reporting barriers to counseling on sun protection and indoor tanning (2015 data only).
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