Risk Factors for Cutaneous Melanomas and Level of Awareness in Society

Background: Skin cancers have become a significant public health problem and increasing over the years. Two crucial risk factors for skin cancers are; phenotypic traits and sun-induced ultraviolet exposure. The risk of disease can be significantly reduced with sun protection. This study aimed to determine the knowledge levels of sun protection and sun avoidance behaviors of healthcare professionals and other professionals who have not yet been diagnosed with any cutaneous cancer. Materials and Methods: Between February and August 2022, the participants without a diagnosis of malignancy were evaluated. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients related to skin cancer, including age and gender, were recorded. The questionnaire was applied to each participant, including the level of knowledge about sun protection and sun protection habits. Results: The mean age was 37 years. Of the participants, 116 were healthcare workers, and 392 were other professionals. The knowledge of sun protection among healthcare workers was given by doctors significantly higher than in others. However, other professions obtained sun protection information primarily through media communication tools (p30 sun protection factor were higher in healthcare workers (p