Tanning and risk perception in adolescents

Skin cancer is a rapidly increasing cancer form in many countries, and tanning is considered to be an etiologic factor of this type of cancer. Tanning is a type of risky behaviour, which has been found to be hard to change, particularly in the groups where it is most risky (children and adolescents). Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), protective behaviour and risk perception with regard to tanning were investigated with a postal questionnaire in a large representative sample of Swedish teenagers 13, 15 and 17 years old (n=2615). Risky behaviour was most prevalent among girls and older respondents, in spite of their greater awareness of the risks, and the general female tendency towards risk avoidance. Cosmetic and social motives seemed to drive this type of risk taking behaviour. Comparisons of perceived personal risks of tanning and risks to other people as well as perceived control over the risks, showed personal risks to be perceived as smaller than risks to others, and perceived control to be an important factor in this form of unrealistic optimism. Although people may have more or less valid perceptions of the risks to others, they tend to have overly optimistic views of their personal risks when it comes to tanning. Risk communication is particularly difficult in cases like this. The problem of stimulating more prudent behaviour in teenagers with regard to tanning is discussed.