The benefits of wearing sunscreen are generally well-known to prevent burned skin and related skin cancers, but different racial approaches to sunscreen use continue to perpetuate. Education in healthcare settings has sufficiently highlighted the purpose and benefits of wearing sunscreen however, there is continued belief that Whites have a higher perceived risk of skin cancers than their non-white counterparts [1]. Skin cancer incidence is highest among non-Hispanic Whites, but what is often unknown or overlooked is the fact that minorities present with more advanced stages of the disease [2]. It then follows that advanced stages of the disease result in poorer health outcomes of minorities.
Skin protection education is comprehensive and available online, but marketing and promotion materials mostly target Whites due to the skin cancer risks associated with that population. Until marketing and promotion can effectively close this gap in messages, we must look out for ourselves and each other and remember to wear sunscreen every day. The quantity of sunscreens available over the counter can seem overwhelming, but the basics of sunscreen are important for everyone to know. A simple breakdown of broad spectrum and sunscreen types is available here
Some of us are better at remembering to wear sunscreen than others. Women are more likely than men to wear sunscreen, and women aged 30-64 years routinely apply sunscreen at the highest rate [3]. Non-Hispanic Blacks are least likely to wear sunscreen [4] due, in part, to a widespread belief that Non-Hispanic Blacks cannot develop skin cancer [5]. This is not true, and this misinformation can be rectified by continued effort and advocacy in dermatological outreach.
Most of us associate a sunscreen routine with knowing we will be spending a couple of hours or more in direct sunlight. We know an effort should be made to slather up in these cases, and we’re pretty good at sticking to that. There seems to be a disassociation of sunscreen use during cloudy weather where sunscreen use drops to 50% on partly cloudy and 30% cloudy days [6] which, as Oregonians, we are familiar with several months every year. Everyone should make an effort to overcome our preconceived notions to meet dermatological guidance of everyday sunscreen use to protect our skin as much as possible regardless of race or weather.
The state of Oregon is working to educate residents about the importance of skincare. Partners across the state are providing sunscreen at cooling centers across Oregon [7], offering free skin checks in the spring [8], and allowing adolescents to advocate for their own skin health [9] . Oregon is trying to help close the access gap, but racial and cultural practices will need to be a part of continuing the conversation.
Please take the time to quickly educate yourself about the benefits of daily sunscreen use and be sure to encourage your friends and family to do the same!
References
1. Fliorent, Rebecca; Muacevic, Alexander; Adler, John. R.. 2023. Racial Differences in Perceived Risk and Sunscreen Usage. Cureus Journal of Medical Science. Jan. 15(1):e33752
2. Calderón, Tirza Areli; Bleakley, Amy; Jordan, Amy B.; Lazovich, DeAnn; Glanz. 2019. Correlates of Sun Protection Behaviors in Racially and Ethically Diverse U.S. Adults. Prev Med Resp Dec:13:346-353
3. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology; Ocean Studies Board; Committee on Environmental Impact of Currently Marketed Sunscreens and Potential Human Impacts of Changes in Sunscreen Usage. 2022. Review of Fate, Exposure, and Effects of
Sunscreens in Aquatic Environments and Implications for Sunscreen Usage and Human Health: Sunscreen, Preventive Health Behaviors, and Implications of Changes in Sunscreen Use for Public Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US).
4. Summers, Pamela; Bena, James; Arrigan, Susana; Alexis, Andrew F.; Cooper, Kevin; Bordeaux, Jeremy S.. 2011. Sunscreen Use: Non-Hispanic Blacks Compared With Other Racial and/or Ethnic Groups. Arch Dermatol. Jul;147(7), p.863-864
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged > 18 Years Who Always Use Sunscreen When Outside for >1 Hour on a Sunny Day, by Sex and Age Gap. National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022:71:747
6. Norman, Kimberly G.; Loretz, Linda; Kowcz, Alexandra; Kaufman, Lewis E.; Ruvolo, Eduardo; Traudt, Michael; Santos, Idalina; RoseMansfield, Rachel; Nash, Frank. 2023. Application Habits and Practices of Regular Sunscreen Users in the United States: Results of an Online Survey. Food and Chemical Toxicology. Vol.181, 114093
7. Linares, Amanda. 2024 Jul 5. Cooling Centers Open Across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Accessed August 2024, https://www.opb.org/article/2024/07/05/cooling-centers-oregon-southwest-washington/
8. Gibbs, Amanda. 2024 May 14. The Dermatologist Will See You Now-At Free Skin Checks Around The State. Oregon Health & Sciences University. Accessed July 2024, https://news.ohsu.edu/2024/05/14/the-dermatologist-will-see-you-now-at-free-skin-checks-around-the-state .
9. Oregon State Legislature. Oregon Laws 2015. Chapter 162; HB 3041.
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