Objective:

To evaluate the annual costs of sunscreen use based on price and specific sun-protective behaviors, including clothing and application frequency.

Key Findings:

• Annual sunscreen costs varied from $39 to $1,429, depending on price and sun-protective behaviors, with indoor workers averaging $83.55 and outdoor workers averaging $173.44.
• A single application cost ranged from $0.24 to $4.20, with clothing-based protection significantly reducing costs.

Interpretation:

Clothing-based sun protection can significantly lower sunscreen costs, suggesting that promoting protective clothing and affordable sunscreen could enhance compliance with sun safety recommendations and potentially reduce skin cancer incidence.

Limitations:

• Generalized assumptions were made regarding clothing coverage, which may not reflect individual variations.
• Average body surface area and retail prices were used instead of confirmed purchase prices, potentially skewing cost estimates.
• The analysis did not include costs of protective clothing, which could impact overall cost assessments.

Conclusion:

Reducing sunscreen costs and promoting protective clothing could improve adherence to sun safety guidelines and potentially reduce skin cancer incidence.