Objective
To determine the morbidity of malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions and people’s knowledge about preventing sun exposure and dangerous habits.
Methods
A retrospective longitudinal study and one descriptive transversal study were conducted with a population of 25,956 inhabitants using the Abucasis® program, and 201 questionnaires were administered to patients in an emergency department; SPSS 15.0 for Windows program was then used.
Results
In six years there were 228 cases of actinic keratosis, 26 melanoma and 32 malignant neoplasms of the skin. It was found that 63.7% of the population believed that sufficient solar prevention campaigns were not performed, 50.2% were unaware of the warning signs of skin cancer, and the most widely used measure used for protection was the use of sunscreens.
Conclusion
The morbidity of malignant and premalignant skin lesions in the Manises population quadrupled and the knowledge about preventing sun exposure is insufficient.
Education, nursing; Oncologic nursing; Students, nursing; Melanoma/prevention & control; Skin neoplasms/prevention & control