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The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge for cancer patients. Our aim was to assess its influence on treatment and appointments of melanoma patients after one year of pandemic.Melanoma patients treated in the Vivantes Skin Cancer Centre in Berlin, Germany completed a postal survey on pandemic-related alterations in melanoma care. Impact factors on changes of appointments were examined with descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Data after one year of pandemic were compared to those after its first wave.Among 366 participants (57.7 % males; mean age 69.2 years, response rate: 36.1 %), 38 (10.1 %) reported postponed or missed appointments, mostly on their own demand (71.1 %) due to fear of COVID-19 (52.6 %). Current treatment was associated with a lower risk of changing appointments (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.194, p = 0.002), higher age (OR: 1.037, p = 0.039), longer disease duration (OR: 1.007, p = 0.028), and higher school degree (OR: 2.263, p = 0.043) with higher probability. Among 177 patients currently receiving therapy, only 1.7 % experienced pandemic-related treatment alterations. Concern about COVID-19 was significantly higher after one year of pandemic than after its first wave, but the number of missed appointments was lower.Pandemic-related changes were rare in our cohort and decreased over time despite increasing concern.

Background The use of sunscreen can reduce the risk of UV-induced skin lesions. Health authorities have provided recommendations for the correct use of sunscreen use: Sufficient amount of sunscreen should be applied at least 30 min before the sun exposure and should be reapplied every 2 h. Objective We aimed to research the practice of sunscreen use in a population-based and representative sample in Germany. Methods For this cross-sectional survey, 3000 German residents aged 14-45 years were surveyed in standardized telephone interviews in 2018. Survey participants provided data on the frequency of sunscreen use in summer, timing of (re-)application and their skin characteristics. The data were weighted by age, sex, educational level and federal state to ensure the national representativeness of the sample. Results Overall, 79.4% of respondents used sunscreen always, often or sometimes when being exposed to the sun. However, 87.2% of sunscreen users did not follow the recommendations on timing of application, 59.5% did not comply with the timing of reapplication. We also saw, that people potentially used too little sunscreen. These data did not differ noticeably by skin types of participants. Conclusion Our study revealed deficits in use of sunscreen in Germany, indicating that people here pay little attention to the recommendations of health authorities, regardless of their skin type. There is therefore an urgent need for targeted public information on this issue. Improving public knowledge on correct sunscreen use through educational campaigns or individual counselling by health professionals could be a first step.

Hintergrund Die internationale Forschung hat gezeigt, dass Personen dazu neigen, sich selbst als weniger anfallig fur Krankheiten und gesundheitliche Folgen von Risikoverhalten zu sehen als andere Vergleichspersonen. Unser Ziel war es, diesen Effekt, bekannt als unrealistischer komparativer Optimismus (UKO), in Bezug auf Hautkrebs erstmals in einer bundesweit reprasentativen Stichprobe zu untersuchen. Die Ergebnisse sind von Relevanz fur die Planung zukunftiger Praventionsmasnahmen. Methoden Das Nationale Krebshilfe-Monitoring zur Solariennutzung (NCAM, Erhebungswelle 3) ist eine bundesweit reprasentative Befragung (n = 3000, 14-45 Jahre). Wir haben UKO in Bezug auf Hautkrebs exploriert und den Zusammenhang zwischen UKO und soziodemographischen Merkmalen, braunungs- und gesundheitsbezogenem Risikoverhalten, Hautkrebsrisiko und Risikobewusstsein gegenuber Hautkrebs untersucht. Ergebnisse Vier von zehn Personen (43,3 %) glaubten - im Vergleich zu einer Person gleichen Alters und Geschlechts - ein geringeres Risiko zu haben, an Hautkrebs zu erkranken. Jungere Personen zeigten mit hoherer Wahrscheinlichkeit eine optimistische Wahrnehmung. Personen mit erhohtem Hautkrebsrisiko, gemessen an individuellen Hautcharakteristika, nahmen ihr Risiko verglichen zur Referenz auch mit erhohter Wahrscheinlichkeit wahr. Schlussfolgerungen Wahrend es realistisch ist, dass Personen mit einem erhohten objektiven Hautkrebsrisiko dies auch so wahrnehmen, sind die generellen Untersuchungsbefunde fur die Allgemeinbevolkerung, speziell fur jungere Personen, besorgniserregend. Es scheint daher wichtig, Personen uber ihre unrealistische Wahrnehmung bezuglich des eigenen Hautkrebsrisikos aufzuklaren, da dies das wahrgenommene individuelle Risiko sowie das individuelle Screening- und Praventionsverhalten beeinflussen kann.

BACKGROUND Sunless tanning products (STPs) are often seen as "healthy alternative" to sunbathing and indoor tanning. However, STP use may entail indirect risks such as overestimating an individual's natural skin type, resulting in risky (natural and artificial) tanning behavior. We aimed to explore STP use in combination with other health-related risk behaviors (eg, smoking), skin cancer risk, risk awareness of ultraviolet radiation, and preventive behavior. METHODS We used data from the NCAM, a nationwide representative cross-sectional sample (n = 3000, aged 14-45, 48.6% female) interviewed via telephone. Differences between STP users and nonusers regarding the abovementioned aspects were identified using chi²-test. RESULTS The 1-year prevalence of STP use was 7.5%. Tanning bed users showed a higher prevalence of STP use than past and never users (16.1% vs 9.6% vs 5.8%, P

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und Ziele Das Projekt „Nationales Krebshilfe-Monitoring zur Solariennutzung“ (National Cancer Aid Monitoring of Tanning Bed Use, NCAM) ist eine deutsche Grosstudie mit dem Ziel, die wichtigsten Risikofaktoren fur Hautkrebs zu beobachten: naturliches Sonnenlicht und kunstliche UV-Strahlung. Teilnehmer und Methoden NCAM ist eine bundesweite Querschnittstudie mit zunachst vier Runden der Datenerfassung (sogenannten Wellen) zwischen 2015 und 2018. Jedes Jahr wird eine bundesweit reprasentative Stichprobe aus 3.000 Personen im Alter von 14 bis 45 Jahren befragt. Die Querschnittsbefragung wird durch eine Kohorte von n = 450 aktuellen Solariennutzern erganzt. Ergebnisse Die erste Welle im Jahr 2015 ergab eine Gesamtpravalenz der Solariennutzung von 29,5 %. Elf Prozent aller Teilnehmer hatten in den vergangenen zwolf Monaten ein Solarium genutzt. Zu den Determinanten der aktuellen Solariennutzung gehorten jungeres Alter, weibliches Geschlecht und Vollzeit-/Teilzeitbeschaftigung. Die hauptsachlichen Beweggrunde, die fur die Nutzung eines Solariums genannt wurden, waren Entspannung und Attraktivitatssteigerung. Schlussfolgerungen NCAM ist weltweit die erste Studie zur Uberwachung der Risikofaktoren fur Hautkrebs in jahrlichen Intervallen anhand einer grosen, landesweit reprasentativen Stichprobe. Erste Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Millionen Deutsche trotz Warnungen der WHO Solarien nutzen, und dass viele dieser Nutzer Jugendliche sind - trotz gesetzlicher Beschrankungen, die das Ziel haben, die Nutzung von Solarien durch Minderjahrige zu verhindern.

SummaryBackground and objectives The National Cancer Aid Monitoring of Tanning Bed Use (NCAM) project is a major German study that aims to observe the most significant risk factors for skin cancer: natural sunlight and artificial UV radiation. Participants and methods NCAM is a nationwide cross-sectional survey that will initially involve four rounds of data collection (so-called waves) between 2015 and 2018. Every year, a representative nationwide sample consisting of 3,000 individuals aged between 14 and 45 years will be surveyed. The cross-sectional survey will be complemented by a panel of n = 450 current tanning bed users. Results The initial wave in 2015 shows an overall prevalence of tanning bed use of 29.5 %. Eleven percent of all participants had used a tanning bed within the past twelve months. Determinants of current tanning bed use included younger age, female gender, and full-time/part-time employment. The main motivations for tanning bed use reported were relaxation and increased attractiveness. Conclusions NCAM is the first study worldwide to monitor skin cancer risk factors at one-year intervals using a large, nationally representative sample. Initial results indicate that, despite WHO warnings, millions of Germans use tanning beds, and that many of these users are adolescents despite legal restrictions aimed at preventing minors from using tanning beds.

Background The incidence rate of melanoma in the Caucasian population is rising worldwide. One of the major environmental risk factors for melanoma is the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To prevent skin damage caused by UV exposure, several organizations recommend wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade, avoiding the outdoors during midday, and using sunscreen. Objective to provide representative data on factors associated with sun-protective behaviors and intentional sun exposure during summertime in the German population. Methods A population-based sample of 3,000 German residents aged 14 to 45 years (response: 32.1%) was interviewed via telephone from October to December 2015. Survey participants provided data on the use of recommended sun-protective measures on a sunny summer day and their intentional sun exposure during summertime. Data were weighted by age, sex, educational level, and federal state to ensure the national representativeness of the sample. Results Wearing long-sleeved clothes was the most frequently reported protective measure (53.9%), while wearing headgear was the least common (17.9%). Significantly lower frequencies of almost all recommended sun-protective measures were identified for males, participants between 14 and 25 years, those with an immigrant background, and those with low levels of education. Using sun protection was positively associated with female gender (OR=1.62), higher levels of education (ORhigh=1.27), sunburn during childhood (OR=1.33), and paying attention to healthy nutrition (OR=1.64; all p

Objective We aimed to investigate eating disorder pathology in German elite adolescent athletes. Evidence suggests that eating disorder pathology is more common in adult elite sports, especially in female athletes and in sports emphasizing leanness. There is a scarcity of studies in elite adolescent athletes who are in a vulnerable developmental stage and are affected by general as well as sport-specific risk factors. Method Our data was derived from the German Young Olympic Athletes' Lifestyle and Health Management Study (GOAL) which conducted a survey in 1138 elite adolescent athletes. In this sample, we assessed body weight, weight control behavior, body acceptance and screened overall for core symptoms of eating disorders, depression and anxiety. We performed a tree analysis to identify high risk groups for eating disorder pathology. Results High risk groups comprised (a) athletes competing in weight dependent sports, and among athletes competing in disciplines other than weight dependent sports (b) athletes who are high on negative affectivity, (c) female athletes and (d) male athletes competing in endurance, technical or power sports. Athletes competing in weight dependent disciplines reported wide spread use of compensatory behaviors to influence body weight. Athletes reporting eating disorder pathology showed higher levels of depression and anxiety than athletes without eating disorder pathology. Discussion Increased psychosocial burden in athletes with eating disorder pathology suggests that eating disorder symptoms should not be accepted as an unproblematic and functional part of elite sports. The prevention and management of eating disorder pathology is especially important in weight dependent sports. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:553–562)

Summary Purpose Sunbed use, a recognized risk factor for skin cancer development, is common in developed countries. Cost-efficient interventions to reduce the negative health consequences of sunbed use are needed. As a first step to identify what kind of intervention might be useful, we aimed to assess the awareness of potential health risks of sunbed use in current, former, and never users as well as in current users with differing risk profiles. Methods We assessed risk awareness using items addressing the potential health risks of sunbed use (e.g. skin damage) in a representative sample of 4851 individuals. The response format assessed agreement with each statement. Risk profiles were defined by a large number of birthmarks, a history of frequent childhood sunburn, or a (family) history of melanoma. Results Many individuals were not aware of potential risks (e.g. agreement to skin cancer risk 72.6%). Current users were less aware compared with former and never users [e.g. skin cancer risk (65.6% vs. 75.9% and 73.0%, respectively; P

Elite athletes often find themselves in a dilemma between maintaining optimal health to be successful and accepting health risks by pushing their physical limits. For elite adolescent athletes, this dilemma becomes a trilemma as they are also confronted with developmental challenges typical for adolescence. As many adolescents encounter different substances during this critical period of development, we analyzed prevalence of substance use to identify determinants related to these behaviors and to compare the prevalences with nonelite athletes. Our main data were drawn from the German Young Olympic Athletes' Lifestyle and Health Management Study (GOAL Study) including 1138 elite adolescent athletes (14-18 years). For comparisons, the data were combined with data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Beside uni- and bivariate analyses, we conducted (conditional) logistic regression analyses. Eighty-six percent had consumed alcohol at least once. Binge drinking was performed by 24% during the last month. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with age, education, technical sports, lower squads, and attending boarding schools. Binge drinking was higher in males, older adolescents, and in technical sports. Smoking (3%) and marijuana use (3%) were less prevalent. Compared with nonelite athletes, they showed less risky behavior except for binge drinking. As we could identify risk groups, prevention and health promotion programs could be developed for this specific target group. Language: en

Issues. Second-hand smoke presents a health risk for a large group of entirely helpless nonsmokers: unborn children. Reliable data on women continuing to smoke during pregnancy are essential for effective preventive and interventional programs. The aim of this review is therefore to identify this risk group compared with spontaneous quitters of smoking. Approach. This systematic literature review is based solely on empirical original papers derived from samples of pregnant women smoking at the beginning of pregnancy. In accordance with the QUOROM Statement all population or clinic-based samples were included. Collectives from intervention studies were not included. All studies were from developed nations and published between January 1997 and March 2008. Key Findings. A total of 19 studies were identified. The rate of quitters was between 4.0% and 69.7% for population-based studies, and 26.5% and 47.0% for clinic-based studies. A smoking partner, a large number of children, a high rate of tobacco consumption, as well as deficiencies in prenatal care were predictors of smoking during pregnancy. Implications. This study identifies risk factors and correlates and indicates common obstacles for women to quit smoking during pregnancy. Conclusion. The risk groups that can be defined based on our results are a key target population for preventive measures.[Schneider S, Huy C, Schutz J, Diehl K. Smoking cessation during pregnancy: A systematic literature review. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]