Abstract
ABSTRACT: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and includes melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Cosmetologists have reoccurring access to individuals presenting for services, and the clients are seen in good lighting where skin changes in the head and neck could be observed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an educational intervention to increase cosmetology students' skin cancer knowledge, personal practices, and client-directed skin observation behaviors. A single-group pretest-posttest design was used to examine knowledge, personal practices, client-directed skin observation behaviors, and confidence. A 20-minute face-to-face presentation and printed educational handouts on skin cancer were provided for participants. Statistically significant increases in knowledge (p < .0001), personal practices (p < .0001), and confidence (p < .025) were found; however, no statistically significant increases were found in client-directed skin observation behaviors (p < .057). The results of this study suggest that an educational intervention can increase cosmetology students' skin cancer knowledge and awareness. Skin cancer knowledge could be used to increase opportunistic monitoring of customer skin health and early detection of skin changes.