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Table 3 Respondents knowledge of the risk factors associated with developing skin cancer and the advice they offer patients

From: Public health engagement: detection of suspicious skin lesions, screening and referral behaviour of UK based chiropractors

 

%

n

The risk of developing skin cancer increases with…'

 An outdoor occupation

  Strongly agree/agree

76

89

  Neutral

20

23

  Disagree/strongly disagree

4

5

 An indoor occupation and holidays in the sun once or twice a year (beach, skiing, outdoor etc.)

  Strongly agree/agree

71

82

  Neutral

21

24

  Disagree/strongly disagree

8

9

 Repeated incidents of having sunburn as a child

  Strongly agree/agree

88

104

  Neutral

11

13

  Disagree/strongly disagree

1

1

 A history of using UV tanning beds

  Strongly agree/agree

93

110

  Neutral

6

7

  Disagree/strongly disagree

1

1

 More than 50 moles

  Strongly agree/agree

56

65

  Neutral

38

45

  Disagree/strongly disagree

6

7

 More than 100 moles

  Strongly agree/agree

69

78

  Neutral

27

31

  Disagree/strongly disagree

4

4

 A history of at least one pre-cancerous or cancerous skin lesion

  Strongly agree/agree

92

109

  Neutral

6

7

  Disagree/strongly disagree

2

2

 A first degree relative with a history of at least one pre-cancerous or cancerous skin lesion

  Strongly agree/agree

69

82

  Neutral

22

26

  Disagree/strongly disagree

8

10

 Freckles and/or red hair

  Strongly agree/agree

37

36

  Neutral

51

49

  Disagree/strongly disagree

12

12

 Blue or green eyes

  Strongly agree/agree

10

12

  Neutral

65

75

  Disagree/strongly disagree

25

29

 Fair skin

  Strongly agree/agree

58

69

  Neutral

34

40

  Disagree/strongly disagree

8

9

 A history of long-term use of drugs with known side-effects of photosensitivity

  Strongly agree/agree

66

77

  Neutral

32

37

  Disagree/strongly disagree

3

3

 Thinning or balding hair

  Strongly agree/agree

45

53

  Neutral

42

50

  Disagree/strongly disagree

13

15

A skin lesion should be considered 'suspicious' if…

%

n

 It has uneven colour

  Strongly agree/agree

72

84

  Neutral

23

27

  Disagree/strongly disagree

4

5

 It is asymmetrical

  Strongly agree/agree

73

85

  Neutral

22

25

  Disagree/strongly disagree

5

6

 It has changed in size (growing)

  Strongly agree/agree

95

114

  Neutral

2

2

  Disagree/strongly disagree

3

4

 It has changed in shape (irregular border)

  Strongly agree/agree

97

113

  Neutral

2

2

  Disagree/strongly disagree

1

1

 It has changed in colour (including several different colours)

  Strongly agree/agree

93

112

  Neutral

4

5

  Disagree/strongly disagree

3

3

 It has a crusty keratinised surface

  Strongly agree/agree

71

82

  Neutral

22

26

  Disagree/strongly disagree

7

8

 It bleeds

  Strongly agree/agree

95

110

  Neutral

3

3

  Disagree/strongly disagree

3

3

 It appeared recently

  Strongly agree/agree

71

82

  Neutral

24

28

  Disagree/strongly disagree

5

6

 It has a raised surface

  Strongly agree/agree

55

66

  Neutral

32

38

  Disagree/strongly disagree

13

15

 It itches

  Strongly agree/agree

78

91

  Neutral

17

20

  Disagree/strongly disagree

4

5

 The patient is concerned about it

  Strongly agree/agree

73

85

  Neutral

25

29

  Disagree/strongly disagree

3

3

Do you advise your patients on…

%

n

 The risks of sun exposure

  Yes

33

39

  No

67

78

 The risks of using UV sunbeds

  Yes

37

43

  No

63

74

 Using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15

  Yes

32

36

  No

68

78

 Other factors that can increase photosensitivity (E.g. some antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-malarial medications etc.)

  Yes

14

16

  No

86

96

 Have you ever been asked for advice on preventing skin cancer by your patients?

  Yes

7

8

  No

93

108