It's not just about the sun, it's about a living: Rural older farmers' experience of skin cancer risk and prevention

Abstract

Objective: To understand rural older farmers' perspectives and attitudes toward skin cancer risk and prevention.

Design and sample: This study used a grounded theory approach and semi-structured interviews with 12 rural older farmers (farm owners, farmworkers ages 50 years or older) in Washington. Participants' perspectives were explored relative to Health Belief Model constructs. Inductive and deductive analyses were used to generate relevant themes. COREQ guidelines were followed.

Results: The findings fit well and extended the Health Belief Model, which was used to arrange key themes identified in relation to skin cancer risk and prevention, specifically participants' perceived barriers to accessing primary care and protection when outdoors, perceived benefits of sun-protective behaviors, perceived hereditary susceptibility to skin cancer, perceived severity of the increased skin cancer risk, and cues to action for skin checks. A new construct of hope was identified to emphasize the importance of establishing emotional, instrumental, and informational support systems for promoting skin cancer prevention. Participants also indicated their hope of raising awareness of skin cancer prevention among all ages.

Conclusions: Findings highlighted the importance of integrating skin cancer prevention services for rural older farmers and across the lifespan. Public health approaches are needed to enhance the awareness of and access to preventive care in these underserved populations.

Keywords: preventive services; primary care access; qualitative study; rural older farmers; skin cancer prevention; skin cancer risk; sun‐protective behaviors.