Nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients

Abstract

Background:

Health promotion and patient advocacy are part of nursing practice. Nurses are in an ideal position to educate and assess patients for skin cancer. Skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions and is the only cancer increasing in frequency.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients.

Methods:

This survey study was designed to evaluate nurses’ understanding of skin cancer, sun protective behaviors and their ability and comfort level in teaching and screening patients. Participants were nurses in practice for at least one year and remained members of the National Student Nurses’ Association.

Results:

This study revealed large gaps in basic knowledge of skin cancer and a small percentage of nurses who were knowledgeable and felt comfortable in teaching and examining patients for skin cancers.