Results
AGe Distribution
A total of 81 respondents completed the survey: 48% females and 52% males, ranging from 10 to 19 years of age.
Racial Breakdown of Respondents
Many players had lighter skin complexion types
UTR Rating of Players
Majority of players were competitive tennis players regularly participating in match play in tournaments
Number of Days per week playing tennis
85% of respondents play tennis 3-7 days a week, and about 2/3 play 4-7 days a week
Number of days per week playing tennis between 10AM and 4pm
More than 70% of respondents play 2-7 days per week during peak sun intensity hours, between 10am and 4pm
Every Day Sun protection Routine
Alarmingly, almost half of the players do not use sunscreen regularly, and more than 27% of them don't wear a hat, cap, or visor routinely!
Only about 11% use protective eyewear, and less than 6% UV-protective clothing.
Sunscreen Types Used
When asked about the type of sunscreen used, only 1/3 of players was aware what type they were using. Only 17.5% thought they were using mineral based sunscreen (which is recommended by most dermatologists)
Sun protection factor (SPF)
The majority of sunscreen users used SPF 15-30 or higher and appears to be familiar with the term SPF
Sun Screen Application before tennis practice or match
Only 22% of players stated they always apply sunscreen before their practice or matches, and only less than 10% reapply at least every two hours
Reasons for not wearing sunscreen
The most frequently cited reason for not using sunscreen products are factors such as “not enough time” (36%), “makes my racked grip slippery” (26%), “smell or texture” (27%), “makes my acne worse” (10%), and “burns in my eyes'' (9%).
Reasons for wearing sunscreen
Of those respondents who routinely use sunscreens, the main reasons for doing so were “to avoid sunburns” (65%), being “worried about skin cancer” (37%), “because my parents tell me to” (38%), and “to prevent wrinkles/aging” (25%) or “dark spots” (20%).
Sunscreen USE: DISTRIBUTION OF Body sites
Out of the respondents stating they are regular sunscreen users, most (73%) regularly apply it to the face; However, only 56% apply sunscreen routinely to the arms, only half to the neck (51%) and legs (46%), less than 1/3 to the ears (27%), and few to the back of hands (11%)
Family history of skin cancer
90% of players are unaware of any blood-related family history of skin cancer but 10% state there is a positive family history
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SKIN CANCER
Most junior players only have some basic idea, if any, what skin cancer looks like. More than 2/3 would like to learn more about it!
Skin cancer education by physicians
Less than 1/3 of players have been talked to about skin cancer prevention and early detection by their doctor (pediatrician/family doctor)