Abstract:

Introduction: Skin cancer has been a research topic of interest due to its rapidly rising incidence in our country and in the world. Ultraviolet radiation plays an important role in the epidemiology of skin cancer. Therefore, sun protection is essential. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim to examine the studies conducted with students about skin cancer in a systematic way. This descriptive type of research. Methods: The population of this descriptive type study consisted of 339 papers determined by using PubMed and ScienceDirect, the Turkish Medical Index, Google Scholar search tool and the Council of Higher Education thesis database. By using the keywords “skin cancer”, “sunburn”, “sun protection”, the full-text papers published over the last 10 years in Turkish or English was chosen for the review. The sample included a total of 47 papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Among the studies, three were conducted with nursery school students, 23 with primary school students, four with primary school and high school students, nine with high school students, and eight with college students. In addition, 27 studies were descriptive, 15 were experimental, two were quasi-experimental, two were prospective and one was retrospective. The reviewed studies found that age; education, grade level, gender, economic status and level of knowledge of families, presence of a family history of skin cancer, being at risk from skin/eye/hair color, and receiving education about this issue were effective in students’ knowledge, attitude and behavior related to skin cancer. Conclusion: Raising awareness in parents and students through health education programs, offering education about the issue starting from an early age, covering the issue in school curricula, and reviewing physical conditions at school are thought to be useful

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