College students' knowledge and attitudes about cancer and perceived risks of developing skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States. Primary prevention practices for skin cancer are fully documented in the literature for reducing the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation on skin. Late adolescents, inherent to their young age and risk taking behaviors are more likely to sunbathe. This study examined the cancer attitudes among late adolescents who are college students, and suntanning knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors.; The data were collected on 224 male and female college students who attended classes in a large university on Long Island, New York. The subjects' ages ranged from 18 to 25. Two multiple choice questionnaires were administered to the subjects that addressed questions relating to their feelings, and beliefs about general cancer and intention to act to prevent cancer. A second questionnaire measured subjects' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors relating to suntanning.; Analysis of the data revealed three variables that impacted on suntanning behaviors and cancer attitudes: gender, perceived susceptibility, and perceived risk. Female subjects had more positive views toward cancer and cancer prevention than male subjects. Female subjects placed a higher value on suntanning, were more knowledgeable about suntanning, and had more high-risk behaviors than male subjects. Male subjects had a lower perceived vulnerability to skin cancer, had less perception of the severity of skin cancer, yet practiced lower risk behaviors toward suntanning than female subjects. Low feelings of perceived vulnerability and low perceived risk were associated with high-risk behavior. The desire for the perceived benefit of suntanned skin, such as feeling attractive, sexy, athletic, and relaxed, outweighed any potential negative long-term effects of ultraviolet light.; Interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of skin cancer ought to focus on late adolescents desire for physical attractiveness, particularly among females, which puts them at higher risk than males. The long-term effects of ultraviolet light exposure should emphasize the negative cosmetic effects of suntanning such as premature aging, leathery looking skin, and the appearance of skin lesions.