Patterns of regret for inadequate sun protection: A population‐based study [ HELIOS ]

Excessive sun exposure remains a significant modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and photoaging.1 Beyond medical implications, UV exposure also carries psychological consequences.2 Feelings of regret related to insufficient sun protection may reflect retrospective awareness and increasing sensitivity to cumulative sun damage.3, 4 Yet, the extent to which such expressions of regret differ across demographic, cultural, or geographic contexts has not been well-characterized.5 To address this gap, we conducted a large international study assessing the expression of regret for not having better protected oneself from the sun in the past, examining variations according to age, gender, and phototype. The survey was conducted online in autumn 2021 using quota method.2, 3, 6-8 A total of 17,001 adults (≥18 years) from 17 countries were included. Respondents were asked whether they regretted not having better protected themselves from the sun in the past. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with expressed regret, including age, gender, educational and income level, skin cancer history, precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses, region in the world, and residence in a sunny region for at least 5 years. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Overall, 57.6% of respondents reported regretting insufficient sun protection (Table 1). Women were considerably more likely than men to express regret (65.6% vs. 48.8%). Among fair-skinned individuals, 59.7% reported regret compared with 51.1% among those with darker or tanned skin (