Skin cancer prevention in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Q: What was the aim of the study on skin cancer prevention?

To identify significant risk factors for skin cancer and to assess skin cancer prevention methods used in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: Which factors were significantly associated with skin cancer in the results?

Respondents with atopic dermatitis, rosacea, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease showed significantly higher skin cancer occurrence, and those using medicines that may cause photodermatoses were also more likely to report skin-related outcomes.

Q: What does the study conclude about prevention?

Regular examination of moles, together with adequate protection against ultraviolet radiation, is presented as an important prevention element, especially for people with fair skin, inflammatory skin diseases, diabetes, and photosensitizing medications.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel

The study determines significant risk factors for skin cancer and evaluates prevention methods used in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous survey from December 2021 to December 2022 enrolled 651 respondents, including 86 participants with skin cancer. Statistically significant associations were observed with several inflammatory conditions, diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, and medications that can induce photodermatoses. Skin cancer incidence increased with age, showed sex differences in sunscreen habits and sun-protective behaviors, and highlighted the importance of regular mole examinations plus UV protection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keywords

TYPE Original Research PUBLISHED 20 June 2025 DOI 10. 3389/fpubh.2025.1452043 OPEN ACCESS EDITED BY Renata Sisto, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Italy REVIEWED BY Natasa Krsto Rancic, University of Nis, Serbia Claudina M. C. A. Nogueira, University of Pretoria, South Africa *CORRESPONDENCE Izabela Jkowiak-Kossakowska [izabela.jeskowiak-kossakowska@umw.edu.pl](izabela.jeskowiak-kossakowska@umw.edu.pl) RECEIVED 20 June 2024 ACCEPTED 22 May 2025 PUBLISHED 20 June 2025 CITATION Je˛kowiak-Kossakowska I, Calik J, Szelg A and Wiatrak B (2025) Skin cancer prevention in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front. Public Health 13:1452043 . doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1452043 COPYRIGHT © 2025 Je˛kowiak-Kossakowska, Calik, Szelg and Wiatrak. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Skin cancer prevention in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic Izabela Je˛kowiak-Kossakowska1*, Jacek Calik2,3 , Adam Szelg1 and Benita Wiatrak1 1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland, 2 Department of Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland, 3 Old Town Clinic, Wrocław, Poland Introduction: In addition to chronic skin inﬂammation, exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunlight is one of the most important factors predisposing to skin cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of signiﬁcant risk factors for skin cancer and to assess the methods of skin cancer prevention used in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted between December 2021 and December 2022 . 651 respondents took part in the study, including 86 respondents (13 . 2%) su􀀀ering from skin cancer. Results: It was found that statistically signiﬁcantly more often respondents with atopic dermatitis (p < 0.001), rosacea (p = 0.002), alopecia areata (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.001) or Crohn’s disease (p < 0.001) had skin cancer. Moreover, participants using medicines that could cause photodermatoses were more likely to su􀀀er from skin cancer (p < 0.001), sunburn (p = 0.005) and have moles removed (p = 0 .014) as well as more likely to have Sutton’s nevus (p = 0.034) and Becker’snevus (p < 0.001) . Skin cancer was diagnosed more often in participants with Celtic complexion (p < 0.001) and respondents with Celtic complexion were much more likely to have family members diagnosed with skin cancer (p = 0 .014) . The incidence of skin cancer (p < 0.001), Sutton’s nevi (p = 0.007), Becker’s nevi (p = 0 .029) and mole removal (p < 0.001) increased with participant age. Women (p < 0.001) and respondents with Celtic and Northern European skin types (p < 0.001) most often choose creams with SPF50, but respondents with Southern European skin were the least likely to declare sunburn (p < 0.001) . On sunny days more often, men (p < 0.001) and older respondents (p = 0.040) wear headgear and women wear sunglasses (p = 0.018) . Women also supplemented vitamin D more often (p < 0.001) . More women (p < 0.001) and younger respondents (p < 0.001) know the ABCDE method, which allows for quick identiﬁcation of potential melanoma. Conclusions: Regular examination of moles, in addition to adequate skin protection against UVR, is an important element of skin cancer prevention, especially in people with fair skin, those su􀀀ering from inﬂammatory skin diseases and diabetes as well as taking m

FAQs

What was the aim of the study on skin cancer prevention?

To identify significant risk factors for skin cancer and to assess skin cancer prevention methods used in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How was the study conducted and how many participants were included?

An anonymous survey was conducted between December 2021 and December 2022, with 651 respondents participating; 86 reported suffering from skin cancer.

Which factors were significantly associated with skin cancer in the results?

Respondents with atopic dermatitis, rosacea, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease showed significantly higher skin cancer occurrence, and those using medicines that may cause photodermatoses were also more likely to report skin-related outcomes.

What does the study conclude about prevention?

Regular examination of moles, together with adequate protection against ultraviolet radiation, is presented as an important prevention element, especially for people with fair skin, inflammatory skin diseases, diabetes, and photosensitizing medications.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel