SKIN CANCER KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR TOWARDS SUN EXPOSURE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN LITHUANIA WIEDZA NA TEMAT RAKA SKÓRY, POSTAW I ZACHOWAŃ WOBEC EKSPOZYCJI NA SËO ŃCE W ŚRÓD MËODYCH OSÓB DOROSËYCH NA LITWIE

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess young adult's kn owledge about skin cancer and it’s risk factors, at titude towards sun exposure and the interactions of various behaviors in the sun. Material and methods: The anonymous questionnaire-based inquiry of 750 respondents was created according to the anonymous form filled-in during the annual Euromelanoma Day campaign. Results: 708 questionnaires were filled-in correctly: 328 (4 6.3%) by men, 380 (53.7%) by women. Median of age was 21 (women ‐ 22, men ‐ 21). During the sunny days 93.2% of respondents sometimes seek shade, 17.5% of young adults never try to get a tan from 11a.m. to 3p.m. Sunglasses are worn in 52.4% of cases, however 63.1% of them with UV filters. 8,1% of respo ndents always wear T-shirts, 30.6% cover head in the beach. While sun-bathing one third (32.9%) wear sun protection cream, while wo rking or doing sports outdoors ‐ 8.9%. Majority (57.4%) apply sun protection crea m when coming to the beach, 31.4% of them don't use it repeatedly. Those who knew, what is melanoma, were more likely to wear sunglasses (p=0.003) with UV filters (p=0.006), T-shi rts (p=0.046), covered head (p<0.0001) and seeked shadow (p=0.002) on the beach; used sun protection cream while working ≥1 hour outdoors (p=0.001) or sunbathing (p<0.0001), and choosed a sun protection cream according to SPF value (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The data of this study showed that respondents beha ve careless in the sun. One third of respondents al ways wear sun protection cream, the majority do not know how to u se it properly. More responsible behavior in the su n depends on better knowledge of skin cancer. Streszczenie