A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention looking at the ultraviolet radiation exposure and sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors found that many survivors have room for improvement.

Researchers surveyed 724 long-term melanoma survivors and 660 matched controls. They found that survivors were 28% less likely to have high sun exposure on weekdays, 60% less likely to experience sunburns, and 80% less likely to participate in indoor tanning. Sixty-two percent of survivors wear sunscreen often or always, compared to 38% of controls.

However, 20% of survivors reported having sunburns in the previous year and 10% reported intentional tanning.

Oncology nurses are well positioned to provide additional patient education to survivors as they end treatment to ensure understanding of sun protection measures and risk factors for developing future melanoma.