These days, a lot of us are better about sun protection than we used to be, but according to new research, we still have room for improvement. A new poll of a thousand millennials and a thousand Gen Xers finds that while 75% say they’re mindful about how much time they spend in the sun, only 19% wear sunscreen all year long.
The study conducted by OnePoll, on behalf of DermTech reveals:
- Many people still aren’t taking proactive measures to cut down on the harmful effects of sun exposure, as more than three-quarters (78%) admit to going outside on a sunny day without sunscreen, 72% have gone out without a hat or head covering and 70% have been out in the sun without UV-protective glasses.
- Respondents have also done things in their past that could affect their overall skin cancer risk, including using a tanning bed (35%) and applying baby oil or tanning oil in the sun (43%).
- One in five also confess they didn’t even wear sunscreen as a teenager.
- Fortunately, many are better about sun protection now, with nearly two-thirds using sunscreen on their face (63%). But only 38% put it on their legs and feet and even fewer apply it to their chest (36%) or back (31%).
- More than half of those polled (57%) say they would schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or specialist if they see a change in their skin that they think could be skin cancer. But only 25% are “very likely” to get a skin cancer screening if they don’t see any noticeable changes in their skin.
- Many correctly said that spots that change colors (64%) or size (63%) can be characteristics of skin cancer, but only about a third (36%) knew that an open sore that lasts for weeks can be a potential sign.
photo: Getty Images Source: SWNS Digital