A/Prof. Zaw Thet1,2, Alfred Lam1,3,4, Shu-Kay Ng1, Soe Yu Aung3,6, Thin Han2,3, Dwarakanathan Ranganathan1,5, Stephanie Newsham2, Jennifer Borg2, Christine Pepito2, Tien Khoo1,7
1School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Australia, 2Department of Nephrology, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Australia, 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia, 4Pathology Queensland, Gold Coast University Hospital, Australia, 5Department of Nephrology, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Australia, 6Department of Oncology, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, , Australia, 7School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Australia
Aims: To determine the effect of an integrated skin cancer education program on skin cancer awareness and sun-protective behaviours in renal transplant recipients (RTRs).
Background: Sun-protective strategies focusing on skin cancer awareness are needed in immunosuppressed patients at risk of skin cancers.
Methods: A pilot prospective cohort study in Central Queensland was undertaken among adult RTRs, who completed survey questionaries on skin cancer and sun-health knowledge (SCSK), sun-protection practices and skin examination pre- and post-education.
Results: 25 patients participated in the study. All participants completed questionnaires at pre-education, 3-month post-education and 92%(n=23) at 6-month post-education. The mean age of all participants was 59 years (standard deviation, SD 11.4 years) and 64% were male. All participants were Caucasians and 72% had a history of skin cancer. There was a significant increase in SCSK scores from baseline at 3-months (19.7 [SD 3.1] vs 21.8 [SD 1.5], p=0.004) and 6-months post-intervention (19.3 vs 20.9, p=0.004). The frequency of outdoor activities of participants did not change significantly pre- and post-education, p=0.549. Compared to baseline, the mean total number of sun-protective methods used changed significantly at 3-months (5.1 [SD 2.3] vs 5.4 [SD 2.1], p=0.043) and 6-months post-intervention (5.1 [SD 2.3] vs 6.0 [SD 1.9], p=0.038). Compared to baseline, more RTRs stayed in the shade (p=0.031) and wore sunglasses (p=0.031) at 6 months. Interventional education enhanced regular self-skin examination rate (p=0.002) but it did not significantly change the frequency of full skin checks by general practitioners (p=0.219).
Conclusions: An integrated skin cancer education program improved knowledge of skin cancer and skin health knowledge and self-skin examination. However, it was not completely associated with an improvement in compliance with sun-protective practices.
Biography:
He is a full time nephrologist who has a special interest in immunosuppressant related cancer risks in renal patients.