Frederiksen Nynne Johanne Sahl, Thorsteinsson Ida Schwarz, Lerche Catharina Margrethe, Granborg Jonatan Riber, Hædersdal Merete, Dalum Peter, Køster Brian
Department of Prevention and Information, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Department of Dermatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2025 Feb;24(2):235-245. doi: 10.1007/s43630-024-00677-5. Epub 2025 Jan 28.
The incidence of skin cancer among Danes is one of the highest in the world. Most skin cancers are, however, avoidable with sun protection and reduction of exposure. One way to increase awareness could be through personal biofeedback information about skin DNA damage.
This study investigates the influence of biofeedback information about skin DNA damage on Danish beach holiday travelers' perception of risk of developing skin cancer and motivations for behaviour change.
The intervention experiment included 20 participants aged 36-56 years, travelling to destinations with a high UV-index in February/March 2023. A new technology for detecting skin DNA damage in urine was used. Each participant was required to provide urine samples before and after travelling on holiday and participate in an interview about risk perceptions. The interviews were semi-structured and included the disclosure of DNA damage obtained during the holiday. Risk perceptions were assessed using a scale before and after the disclosure of biofeedback information.
We identified key elements affecting perceived susceptibility of skin cancer as well as central barriers for behaviour change. The intervention increased risk perceptions for 35% of participants, and 30% expressed intentions to adopt more sun protective practices. However, most participants' perceived susceptibility to skin cancer did not change significantly, as the DNA damage still appeared too abstract.
The findings suggest that biofeedback information can increase risk perceptions related to skin cancer and initiate intended behaviour change for some. Larger scale studies are needed and should include quantification of the individual DNA damage thereby making the assessed risk more relatable and personally relevant.
丹麦人的皮肤癌发病率位居世界前列。然而，大多数皮肤癌是可以通过防晒和减少暴露来避免的。提高意识的一种方法可能是通过提供有关皮肤DNA损伤的个人生物反馈信息。
本研究调查了有关皮肤DNA损伤的生物反馈信息对丹麦海滩度假游客患皮肤癌风险认知及行为改变动机的影响。
干预实验包括20名年龄在36 - 56岁之间的参与者，他们于2023年2月/3月前往紫外线指数较高的目的地。采用了一种检测尿液中皮肤DNA损伤的新技术。每位参与者在度假前后都需要提供尿液样本，并参加一次关于风险认知的访谈。访谈采用半结构化形式，包括披露度假期间获得的DNA损伤情况。在披露生物反馈信息前后，使用量表评估风险认知。
我们确定了影响皮肤癌易感性认知的关键因素以及行为改变的主要障碍。干预使35%的参与者提高了风险认知，30%的参与者表示有意采取更多的防晒措施。然而，大多数参与者对皮肤癌的易感性认知没有显著变化，因为DNA损伤仍然显得过于抽象。
研究结果表明，生物反馈信息可以提高与皮肤癌相关的风险认知，并促使一些人产生预期的行为改变。需要进行更大规模的研究，应包括对个体DNA损伤的量化，从而使评估的风险更具相关性和个人针对性。
