PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 8 (UPI) -- Ninety percent of U.S. adults say skin can be sexy, but 58 percent know their skin might be at risk for sun damage and therefore cancer, a survey indicates.
Nearly 60 percent of those queried said they spend time outdoors at least a few times per week, but only 14 percent said they wear sun protection daily.
The survey by the American Academy of Dermatology and LEO Pharma also found half of the respondents never checked their own skin or had a medical professional check their skin for sun-caused damage.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents never talked to their doctor about how to prevent sun damage or skin cancer. Sixty-three percent asked their partners' opinion on health questions, but only 30 percent discussed skin appearance with their partner recently.
The academy said tanned skin is a visible sign of sun damage, and sun damage significantly increases a person's risk of developing skin cancer.
"It's very important to check your skin for signs and symptoms of sun damage," Dr. Erin Gilbert, a dermatologist, said in a statement. "I often tell my patients to have their partner or spouse check their skin regularly for any of these signs."
The survey of 808 U.S. adults and an oversample of 202 adults at high risk for skin cancer -- age 40 and older and fair skinned -- was conducted Jan. 31 to Feb. 7. No margin of error was provided.
