ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV)-exposure behaviors can directly impact an individual's skin cancer risk, with many habits formed during childhood and adolescence. We explored the utility of a photoaging smartphone application to motivate youth to improve sun safety practices. METHODS: Participants completed a preintervention survey to gather baseline sun safety perceptions and behaviors. Participants then used a photoaging mobile application to view the projected effects of chronic UV exposure on participants' self-face image over time, followed by a postintervention survey to assess motivation to engage in future sun safety practices. RESULTS: The study sample included 87 participants (median [interquartile (IQR)] age, 14 [11-16] years). Most participants were White (50.6%) and reported skin type that burns a little and tans easily (42.5%). Preintervention sun exposure behaviors among participants revealed that 33 (37.9%) mostly or always used sunscreen on a sunny day, 48 (55.2%) experienced at least one sunburn over the past year, 26 (30.6%) engaged in outdoor sunbathing at least once during the past year, and zero (0%) used indoor tanning beds. Non-skin of color (18 [41.9%], p = .02) and older (24 [41.4%], p = .007) participants more often agreed they felt better with a tan. Most participants agreed the intervention increased their motivation to practice sun-protective behaviors (wear sunscreen, 74 [85.1%]; wear hats, 64 [74.4%]; avoid indoor tanning, 73 [83.9%]; avoid outdoor tanning, 68 [79%]). CONCLUSION: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that a photoaging smartphone application may serve as a useful tool to promote sun safety behaviors from a young age.
ABSTRACT
Background Prior quantitative studies have described the diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) faced by the overall mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS) population; yet, little is known about how the disease affects HRQoL in skin of color (SOC) patients. This qualitative study sought to explore the lived experiences of SOC patients with MF/SS and gain deeper insights into the impact the disease has on various facets of HRQoL. Methodology Interviews with SOC patients with MF/SS ≥18 were recruited from a cutaneous lymphoma clinic. A thematic analysis was performed to identify overarching themes. Results Ten patients were invited to participate from July to September 2021. One patient with SS and seven patients with MF (four in the early stage and four in the advanced stage), with a median age of 60.5 years, agreed to participate. Emerging themes included diagnostic and therapeutic delays frequently due to initial misdiagnoses with other skin conditions. Physical and functional burdens significantly hindered participants' abilities to carry out daily responsibilities and maintain employment, and impacts on physical appearance (e.g., darkened skin) led to increased self-consciousness and lack of social acceptance. Participants regarded family and faith as main sources of support in addition to developing healthy coping strategies, such as self-acceptance and adaptability. All participants reported feeling satisfied with their access to healthcare information and the quality of care received. Conclusions Our findings provide greater insights into how HRQoL is impacted across SOC patients with MF/SS, which can help raise awareness among healthcare providers and assist with creating interdisciplinary healthcare approaches to better support the needs of this population.
