1 in 5 millennials and Gen Xers didn’t wear sunscreen as teens
- last year
New research suggests four in five millennials and Gen Xers can’t identify nonmelanoma skin cancer.
The poll of 1,000 millennials and 1,000 Gen X respondents found that about 80% were unable to identify nonmelanoma skin cancer when shown the names to their corresponding images. Seventy-nine percent couldn’t identify squamous cell carcinoma, and 82% couldn’t identify basal cell carcinoma. A similar proportion of respondents (79%) couldn’t place actinic keratosis, a lesion that develops in sun-damaged skin and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
Respondents also revealed a lack of proactive measures taken to reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure. While 75% said they’re mindful of how much they’re out in the sun, only 19% wear sunscreen year round. Many also admit to going outside on a sunny day without sunscreen (78%), a hat or head covering (72%), or UV-protective glasses (70%).
Past behaviors of millennials and Gen X may affect their overall skin cancer risk. More than one third (35%) have used a tanning bed and one in five (20%) did not wear sunscreen as a teenager. They also applied baby oil or tanning oil in the sun (43%) with almost half of women (49%) using baby oil or tanning oil, compared to 34% of men.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of DermTech, the survey also found that overall, most respondents use sunscreen on their face (63%), with only 38% doing so on their legs and feet, and even less applying it to their chest (36%) and back (31%).
And only 41% were aware that sun exposure can cause precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) to appear over time.
While many correctly said spots that change colors (64%) or size (63%) can be characteristics of skin cancer, fewer knew an open sore that lasts for weeks (36%) is a potential sign.
People’s skin cancer knowledge mainly comes from health websites or blogs (43%), compared to 35% who learned this information at school.
However, Gen X may be more proactive when it comes to getting a skin cancer screening. Thirty-one percent of 42–57-year-olds polled wouldn’t wait to hear someone’s opinion of a change in their skin to get tested, compared to 21% of millennials.
Only 25% of respondents were “very likely” to get a skin cancer screening if they didn’t see any notable changes in their skin. But 57% would schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or specialist upon seeing a change in their skin that they think may be skin cancer.
THINGS PEOPLE HAVE DONE THAT MAY AFFECT THEIR SKIN CANCER RISK
Went outside on a sunny day without sunscreen - 78%
Went outside on a sunny day without a hat or other head covering - 72%
Went outside on a sunny day without UV-protective sunglasses - 70%
Smoked - 47%
Applied baby oil or tanning oil in the sun - 43%
Used a tanning bed - 35%
Got a gel manicure with a UV nail lamp - 34%
Skied or snowboarded without wearing sunscreen - 21%
The poll of 1,000 millennials and 1,000 Gen X respondents found that about 80% were unable to identify nonmelanoma skin cancer when shown the names to their corresponding images. Seventy-nine percent couldn’t identify squamous cell carcinoma, and 82% couldn’t identify basal cell carcinoma. A similar proportion of respondents (79%) couldn’t place actinic keratosis, a lesion that develops in sun-damaged skin and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
Respondents also revealed a lack of proactive measures taken to reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure. While 75% said they’re mindful of how much they’re out in the sun, only 19% wear sunscreen year round. Many also admit to going outside on a sunny day without sunscreen (78%), a hat or head covering (72%), or UV-protective glasses (70%).
Past behaviors of millennials and Gen X may affect their overall skin cancer risk. More than one third (35%) have used a tanning bed and one in five (20%) did not wear sunscreen as a teenager. They also applied baby oil or tanning oil in the sun (43%) with almost half of women (49%) using baby oil or tanning oil, compared to 34% of men.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of DermTech, the survey also found that overall, most respondents use sunscreen on their face (63%), with only 38% doing so on their legs and feet, and even less applying it to their chest (36%) and back (31%).
And only 41% were aware that sun exposure can cause precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) to appear over time.
While many correctly said spots that change colors (64%) or size (63%) can be characteristics of skin cancer, fewer knew an open sore that lasts for weeks (36%) is a potential sign.
People’s skin cancer knowledge mainly comes from health websites or blogs (43%), compared to 35% who learned this information at school.
However, Gen X may be more proactive when it comes to getting a skin cancer screening. Thirty-one percent of 42–57-year-olds polled wouldn’t wait to hear someone’s opinion of a change in their skin to get tested, compared to 21% of millennials.
Only 25% of respondents were “very likely” to get a skin cancer screening if they didn’t see any notable changes in their skin. But 57% would schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or specialist upon seeing a change in their skin that they think may be skin cancer.
THINGS PEOPLE HAVE DONE THAT MAY AFFECT THEIR SKIN CANCER RISK
Went outside on a sunny day without sunscreen - 78%
Went outside on a sunny day without a hat or other head covering - 72%
Went outside on a sunny day without UV-protective sunglasses - 70%
Smoked - 47%
Applied baby oil or tanning oil in the sun - 43%
Used a tanning bed - 35%
Got a gel manicure with a UV nail lamp - 34%
Skied or snowboarded without wearing sunscreen - 21%