Despite higher chances of skin cancer in men, nearly half aren’t using sunscreen, according to a recent study conducted by The Skin Cancer Foundation with the assistance of sunscreen manufacturers.
Alternately only 30 percent women reported not using sunscreen in the past year.
“The survey results confirm what I see in my practice every day — men just aren’t incorporating sun protection into their lives,” said dermatologist and Skin Cancer Foundation spokesman Joshua Zeichner of Mount Sinai Medical Center in a statement.
The study, which surveyed 1,000 men and women, also found that most men are less likely to apply sunscreen properly or seek out medical help for skin cancer prevention.
Meanwhile,Dr. Zeichner estimates that the majority of new melanoma cases diagnosed this year will be men, who appear to underestimate the the rigor needed to protect skin from the sun.
Specifically the survey, which was conducted online for five days in May, found that 61 percent of men believe one application of sunscreen is sufficient for four hours. The recommended reapplication period is every two.
A larger percentage reported not knowing what the recommended amount per application is. (It’s one ounce, or an amount the size of a golf ball.)
In addition 70 percent of men don’t know how to perform a skin exam on themselves, and an even greater number said they probably wouldn’t visit a professional either.
Officials from The Skin Cancer Foundation suggested that a lack of education could be related to the shocking discrepancy between genders.
“We know education is the key,” said Minna Raddin, Director of Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens. “When asked, nearly a quarter of male respondents said they would consider using sun protection in the future if they learned they were at high risk for skin cancer.”
One of the study’s most interesting results in the study also highlighted that 64% of men believe or suspect that women are more sensitive to UV light than they are.
