Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Sun-Safety in College Students

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sun safe behaviors, as well as to measure knowledge and attitudes toward being tan in a sample of college students. The sample was comprised of 315 college students attending a personal health course. During Fall of 2016, a survey was distributed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of university students regarding skin cancer related behaviors. Students with a friend or family member with skin cancer more often reported thinking that they were at risk for developing skin cancer (48.6 vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001). Despite this opinion, they more often sunbathed (p = 0.008) and had a sunburn (p < 0.001) in the past year. Being in a health-related major did not significantly impact attitudes or behaviors. Future studies can focus further on raising awareness about skin cancer, specifically in college aged populations.