Understanding the Perceived Relationship between Sun Exposure and Melanoma in Atlantic Canada: A Consensual Qualitative Study Highlighting a “Sunscreen Paradox”

Globally, cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is increasing, with sun exposure identified as a key modifiable risk factor. The Atlantic provinces of Canada display varied CM incidence rates: New Brunswick aligns with the national average, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island exceed it, and Newfo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancers
Main Authors: Sauliha Alli, Jonathan LeBeau, Agustina Hasbani, François Lagacé, Ivan V. Litvinov, Sandra Peláez
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023
Subjects:
melanoma
skin cancer
behavior
risk factors
sun exposure
sun protection
Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
RC254-282
Canada
Newfoundland
Prince Edward Island
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194726
https://doaj.org/article/59eeda54011f41de9b93c434677fd03c
Description
Summary:Globally, cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is increasing, with sun exposure identified as a key modifiable risk factor. The Atlantic provinces of Canada display varied CM incidence rates: New Brunswick aligns with the national average, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island exceed it, and Newfoundland and Labrador fall below this benchmark. We investigated the relationship between sun exposure and CM in these provinces. Twenty-two focus groups encompassing 95 Atlantic Canada residents were conducted and transcribed. A thematic analysis was conducted in MAXQDA using the social–ecological model as a framework. Residents of high-CM incidence provinces demonstrated greater sun exposure awareness, consulting UV indices, and using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. However, they received greater UV exposure due to warmer climates and outdoor work and cultural activities. Conversely, those in low-incidence provinces used sunscreen and sun-protective clothing less often, engaged in occupations and hobbies affording less sun exposure, and lived in cooler climates. Our data supports a possible “sunscreen paradox”, whereby increased sunscreen use is correlated with augmented sun exposure, leading to a deceptive sense of security. Public health initiatives in Atlantic Canada promoting sun safety must address this paradox while integrating community-specific behaviors and norms in order to develop tailored campaigns.

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