The molecular diagnostic company DermTech announced that it has launched its new Sun Regrets campaign after a new survey revealed that millennials and Gen Xers may be participating in practices that can increase their risk of developing skin cancer. In the new survey, investigators asked 1,000 millennials and 1,000 Gen Xers to answer questions about their skin protection habits. They found that 78% of those surveyed had gone outside on a sunny day without sunscreen; 30% of Gen Xers noted that they never wear sunscreen; and only 19% of respondents reported applying sunscreen throughout the year. Additionally, 35% of individuals admitted to using tanning beds, and only 37% of millennials and 45% of Gen Xers reported understanding the risks of prolonged sun exposure. Experts explained that regularly exposing the skin to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from tanning beds without sunscreen can lead to the development of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis—all of which are diagnosed in a combined 43 million U.S. individuals per year. However, only 16% of the survey respondents said they felt knowledgeable about nonmelanoma skin cancer.
The new Sun Regrets campaign is designed to increase nonmelanoma skin cancer awareness, offer risk assessment tools, and educate individuals about preventive measures they can take to reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer. Experts urged individuals to apply sunscreen to all areas of the skin—including the ears, lips, and hairline or scalp—before spending time outdoors. “[I]t is imperative that we build awareness of what skin cancers look like and how to prevent them. The Sun Regrets campaign is an important resource … to boost Americans’ knowledge of these common forms of skin cancer,” concluded Loren Clarke, MD, Chief Medical Officer at DermTech.