Knowledge, beliefs, and sun protection behaviors of Alberta adults.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable evidence that exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of many dermatologic conditions including nonmelanoma skin cancers and the more serious cutaneous malignant melanoma. Despite this, there is little data on healthy persons' exposure patterns and protection behaviors. METHODS: As part of a larger survey for a cancer prevention demonstration program, a household survey of 3,843 adults ages 35-64 was conducted in four mid-size cities in Alberta, Canada. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on sun-related knowledge, beliefs, occupational and recreational exposure and current protective behaviors. RESULTS: Only 45% of respondents believed sun exposure affected their chances of getting cancer. With few exceptions, less than 50% of either sex were likely to routinely use any of the four protective measures: avoiding the sun, protective clothing, hats, or sunscreen. This propensity was inadequate even for those with sun-sensitive skin types. Men and women differed in the type of protection preferred. Older adults were more likely to take precautionary measures. CONCLUSIONS: There is clearly a need for modification of the public's beliefs and protective behaviors if the predicted skin cancer epidemic is to be avoided. Knowledge of protective behaviors and age- and gender-specific preferences will help in planning future research and health education programs.

Steve Fonyo Cancer Prevention Program: description of an innovative program.

The Steve Fonyo Cancer Prevention Program (SFCPP) was a demonstration project of community-based education strategies designed to increase behaviours which will result in reduced cancer deaths, and to assess the feasibility of the involvement of a provincial cancer agency in the delivery of community-based prevention programs. Using primarily two different strategies, the SFCPP attempted to influence people to choose healthy lifestyles which would reduce their risk of getting cancer and to practice those behaviours which would increase early detection. The health unit intervention component consisted of risk assessment, personalized feedback and an invitation to appropriate health education programs delivered by a nurse. The community-based component involved community members in the planning and delivery of cancer prevention programs. The program began in four small cities (combined population 165,000) in early 1987. A baseline survey was done prior to implementation to facilitate evaluation. The purpose of this article is to describe the planning and implementation of the Steve Fonyo Cancer Prevention Program.

Risk factors for ocular melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study.

Between April 1, 1979, and March 31, 1981, 90 individuals in the four western provinces of Canada were diagnosed as having ocular melanomas. Of 87 age-eligible cases (age 20-79 yr), 65 (75%) were interviewed along with age- and sex-matched controls chosen at random from the provincial populations. Individuals with blue eyes had a significantly greater crude risk of ocular melanoma than those with brown eyes [odds ratio (OR)=3.0, P=.04]. Subjects with red or blonde hair were at higher risk of having ocular melanoma than those with black or dark-brown hair (OR=7.7, P=.03). Indoor workers appeared to be at elevated risk for ocular melanoma even after controlling for eye and hair color (OR=3.5, P=.006).

Cutaneous malignant melanoma in Alberta: 1967-1976.

The records of 519 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) were analyzed for the period 1967 to 1976 from the population-based cancer registry of the Province of Alberta in Canada. During this period, the incidence of CMM rose more rapidly in men (especially those older than age 50 years) than in women. Five-year survival rates were 59% and 74% for men and women, respectively. Women survived longer mainly because of a longer disease-free interval. Once the disease recurred, however, the mean time to death was similar for both men and women. Primary lesions were most frequent on the trunk, and head and neck in men, and on the lower limbs in women. The proportion of trunk lesions is increasing in both sexes, especially in persons younger than age 50 years. The lack of a consistent upward trend for lesions on the lower limbs in women was unexpected. The data predict a growing contribution of trunk lesions is young men to the increasing incidence and mortality of CMM in Alberta.

Ocular melanoma: a population-based study.

During the 10-year period ending December 1976 ocular malignant melanoma developed in 99 patients in Alberta. To investigate the natural history of this disease we reviewed certain clinical and epidemiologic features of these cases. Of all the melanomas during that time 16% occurred in the eye, and of all the ocular malignant diseases 70% were malignant melanomas. The more malignant mixed cell tumours were much more frequent in the women than in the men, while the converse was true of the less malignant spindle cell melanomas. Within each cell type the women survived longer than the men. The actuarial 5-year survival rate of the entire group was 62%. Metastases occurred in 29 of the 99 patients; the liver was the only or initial site in 22 (76%). Our study shows that there has been no improvement in the survival rate of patients with ocular melanoma over the past 10 years. Our therapeutic methods must be improved.