Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Project – Full Written

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Committee Chair

Tina Lewis

Abstract

Introduction: The intention of this Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence-based project was to provide education on improving awareness of skin cancer to potentially improve sun protection habits. A total of 100 college athletes participated in this project. The goal was to increase educational knowledge and practice intentional sun protection habits.

Background: One in 5 people will develop a type of skin cancer by age 70 (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2024). Several studies have proven that young adults, ages 15-25, are at an increased risk of sun exposure due to decreased knowledge about skin cancer. Teaching and improving the knowledge in this group of individuals is a critical step in decreasing the amount of future skin cancer diagnoses.

Methods: A 10-minute educational seminar was provided face-to-face with university athletic teams. An optional survey to measure knowledge was given prior to and following the intervention. The project focus was to improve awareness and education in college athletes about skin cancer and increase healthy sun protection habits.

Results: Ninety-six participants completed the pre-test survey, and 90 participants completed the post-test survey. A 28% increase in knowledge scores was seen after the intervention, along with a 50% increase in desire to use sun protection after the intervention. This study shows that education can improve the impact of sun protection awareness and habits.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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