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Most skin cancer patients did not use sunscreen while driving

Almost 75% of patients seen at a Mohs micrographic surgery center reported not using sunscreen while in an automobile, according to study results.

Researchers conducted a restrospective survey of 225 patients (mean age, 67.5 years; 56% men) at a Mohs micrographic surgery clinic. Eighty-nine percent had Fitzpatrick skin types of I, II or III. Ninety percent of survey respondents had a history of at least one type of skin cancer.

Men reported driving more than women (median 10 vs. 5 hours/week), and patients reported that they were usually the driver when in an automobile and drove mostly during daytime.

Compared with general daily sunscreen use, fewer patients said they used sunscreen while in an automobile (52% vs. 27%; P<.05).

“Most respondents did not think they needed to use sunscreen while driving, especially if the windows were closed,” the researchers reported.

Patients who believed the car provided sun damage protection were significantly less likely to use sunscreen (12% vs. 46%; P<.05). Except for patients who drove automobiles with tinted windows, there was a predominance of left-sided nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

Study limitations included a retrospective design, small sample size, selection bias and recall bias, the researchers reported.

“Our results reveal poor patient awareness of and compliance with sun-protection measures while in an automobile,” the researchers concluded. “A history of skin cancer increases the perceived need to use sunscreen while in a vehicle. However … sunscreen use while in a vehicle remains suboptimal among all patients. Further supporting the impact of automobile-related UV exposure, this study confirmed a predominance of left-sided NMSC.”