Feed

Skin cancer remains one of the most preventable yet prevalent malignancies worldwide, with non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers ranking among the top 5 and top 20 most common cancers, respectively. Rising incidence rates in countries such as the United States and Australia have been linked to high ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and modifiable behavioral risk factors. Public health efforts increasingly emphasize sun safety education to reduce UV exposure and mitigate long-term cancer risk.

To summarize the current research landscape of intervention strategies for the primary prevention of skin cancer and the study designs used to evaluate these efforts.

We conducted a scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo. Included studies assessed original sun safety programs implemented in school, community, and healthcare settings, focusing on behavior change, accessibility, and long-term impact.

This review highlights the variability in intervention design and underscores the need for comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that integrate education with accessible resources.

Strengthening these efforts is essential to improving sun safety practices and reducing the global burden of skin cancer.