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Ultraviolet sun exposure and sun protection behaviors in outdoor rock climbers.

Authors :
Gutiérrez-Manzanedo JV
González-Montesinos JL
Aguilera-Arjona J
Rodríguez-Martínez A
Vaz-Pardal C
España-Romero V
Rivas-Ruiz F
Blázquez-Sánchez N
De Gálvez-Aranda MV
De Troya-Martín M
Source :
Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology [Photochem Photobiol Sci] 2023 Dec; Vol. 22 (12), pp. 2817-2826. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 17.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Background: Overexposure to sunlight and sunburn are the main preventable causes of skin cancer. Outdoor sports are associated with significant levels of sunlight exposure.<br />Aims: We sought to quantify the sun radiation exposure received by outdoor rock climbers and assess their sun exposure habits, sun protection behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge regarding skin cancer.<br />Methods: From April to June 2021, outdoor rock climbers contacted via email completed an online validated self-reported questionnaire on sun related habits, behaviors, attitudes and knowledge. As a pilot trial, ten participants wore a personal dosimeter during two outdoor climbing weekends in May and November 2021. Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was also recorded.<br />Results: A total of 217 outdoor rock climbers (103 women), mean age 36.8 ± 8.8 years (range 20-70 years) and median climbing practice per week of 8 h (IQR 7.5) were studied. Two in three (65.9%) participants reported at least one sunburn event during the previous rock climbing season. Of the survey respondents, 49.3% reported using sunscreen with SPF ≥ 15, 47% wore sunglasses, and 14.3% indicated they reapplied sunscreen every two hours. The median personal UVR dose measured during the two outdoor climbing weekends analyzed was 5.2 (IQR 1.8) and 8.8 (IQR 1.1) standard erythemal doses, respectively.<br />Conclusions: The high rates of sunburn, the elevated personal UVR measured and the clearly insufficient sun protection practices followed during rock climbing together with unsatisfactory attitudes towards tanning reveal the need to develop explicit sun protection campaigns and educational strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer among the athletes studied.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1474-9092
Volume :
22
Issue :
12
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37847459
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-023-00488-0