QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
Curr Oncol. 2023 Feb 18;30(2):2465-2481. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30020188.
Sun exposure carries both harms and benefits. Exposing the skin to the sun is the main modifiable cause of skin cancers, which exert a considerable health and economic burden in Australia. The most well-established benefit of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is vitamin D production. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world but, despite the high ambient UV radiation, approximately one quarter of the population is estimated to be vitamin D deficient. Balancing the risks and benefits is challenging and requires effective communication. We sought to provide a snapshot of public knowledge and attitudes regarding sun exposure and vitamin D and to examine the associations between these factors and sun protective behaviors. In 2020 we administered an online survey; 4824 participants with self-reported fair or medium skin color were included in this analysis. Only 25% and 34% of participants were able to identify the amount of time outdoors needed to maintain adequate vitamin D status in summer and winter, respectively and 25% were concerned that sunscreen use inhibits vitamin D synthesis. This lack of knowledge was associated with suboptimal sun protection practices. Public education is warranted to prevent over-exposure, while supporting natural vitamin D production.
阳光照射既有危害也有好处。皮肤暴露在阳光下是导致皮肤癌的主要可改变因素，在澳大利亚造成了相当大的健康和经济负担。暴露于紫外线（UV）辐射的最明确益处是维生素 D 的产生。澳大利亚是世界上皮肤癌发病率最高的国家，但尽管环境紫外线辐射很高，据估计仍有大约四分之一的人口缺乏维生素 D。平衡风险和益处具有挑战性，需要有效的沟通。我们旨在提供公众对阳光照射和维生素 D 的知识和态度的快照，并研究这些因素与防晒行为之间的关联。2020 年，我们进行了一项在线调查；在这项分析中，共有 4824 名自我报告肤色为浅色或中等肤色的参与者。仅有 25%和 34%的参与者能够分别确定在夏季和冬季维持足够维生素 D 状态所需的户外时间，而 25%的参与者担心防晒霜的使用会抑制维生素 D 的合成。这种缺乏知识与防晒措施不足有关。需要进行公众教育以防止过度暴露，同时支持天然维生素 D 的产生。
