Melanoma risk awareness and sun-protective behavior: Does the sun only hurt on the beach? A cross-sectional survey on 1288 families of a Mediterranean population

Most of the literature describing sun protection for children is based on population surveys and questionnaires, and these have shown that parents have considerable knowledge about sun exposure, its correlation with skin cancer, and proper protection. We conducted research to evaluate the habits not of the individual but of the families and the degree to which children and their parents understand sun protection and sun exposure. A cross-sectional descriptive study included the parents of children aged 8 to 10 years attending primary schools. Each student was given a simple questionnaire by the teacher and was instructed to take it to their parents for completion. The questions addressed the type and duration of vacation, knowledge of damage that can be caused by sun exposure, and the use of sun protection devices both in the city and in other situations. Of the 2,985 distributed questionnaires, 1,288 were returned, resulting in a final sample of 1,288 families included in the analysis. Most families reported taking either one week (44%) or two weeks (41%) of holiday. During holidays, 53% stated that they applied sunscreen more than once per day on days with typical sun exposure; however, 72% reported adopting no additional preventive measures during outdoor activities. Considering that most families take no more than two weeks of holiday per year, they remain without adequate protection during outdoor activities for approximately 97% of the year. This suggests a need for more targeted education and awareness campaigns, emphasizing the importance of sun protection measures in various settings, including urban environments and year-round activities.