Sun-related risk factors, perceived seriousness of disease and accompanying non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with actinic keratoses

Background: Actinic keratoses are the most common premalignant skin lesions worldwide. They are of public health importance since their presence has been associated with the significantly increased incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), especially when they are numerous and have coalesced into an area with severe photodamage. The current study aimed to evaluate the relationships between sun-related risk factors, perceived seriousness of actinic keratosis (AK), skin cancer examination (SCE) history, and newly detected NMSC in AK patients. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional, case–control study, firstly we examined the demographics, phenotypic traits, sun exposure history, cancer history and newly detected NMSC with full-body skin examinations in AK patients (n = 198) and controls. Secondly, the effects of these parameters, AK knowledge and AK-related clinical findings on the perceived seriousness of AK, SCE history and the presence of newly detected NMSC in AK patients were evaluated. Results: The presence of newly detected NMSC was significantly higher in patients aged ≥65 years, with personal or family skin cancer history, higher AK severity and photoaging grade; however, it was observed that these cases did not perceive AK as a serious illness and did not visit a physician for an SCE previously. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating sun-related risk factors, knowledge and perceived seriousness of disease and SCE findings of AK patients in Turkey. Our results indicate that national health awareness campaigns and skin cancer scanning programs should be developed especially for the patients under the sun-related risks of AKs and NMSC occurrence. Keywords: Actinic keratoses, Non-melanoma skin cancer, Sun exposure, Knowledge, Perceived seriousness, Full-body skin examinatio