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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 9/2007

01-11-2007 | Original Paper

Sun protection and low levels of vitamin D: are people concerned?

Authors: Monika Janda, Michael Kimlin, David Whiteman, Joanne Aitken, Rachel Neale

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 9/2007

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Abstract

Objective

Recent reports on the association between low serum vitamin D and increased risk of cancer raised concerns about possible adverse effects of primary prevention strategies for skin cancer. To evaluate if these reports may influence peoples’ sun protective behavior, knowledge, and attitudes to the impact of sun protection on vitamin D.

Methods

Within a population-based survey in Queensland, Australia (5,611 participants, mean age 50.7 years (range 20–75); 48.2% men), agreement with the statement that sun protection may result in not having enough vitamin D as well as factors associated with agreement were assessed.

Results

Overall, 837 (15.0%) participants agreed that sun protection may result in not having enough vitamin D, 2,163 (38.7%) neither agreed nor disagreed, and 2,591 (46.3%) disagreed with this statement. Factors associated with agreement included older age, darker skin color, and attempt to develop a suntan within the past year.

Conclusion

These results suggest that future sun protection campaigns may need to address the issue of vitamin D and present ways to achieve sufficient vitamin D levels without increasing sun exposure at least in countries with high UV radiation throughout the year.
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Metadata
Title
Sun protection and low levels of vitamin D: are people concerned?
Authors
Monika Janda
Michael Kimlin
David Whiteman
Joanne Aitken
Rachel Neale
Publication date
01-11-2007
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 9/2007
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9042-4

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