Risk and protective factors for actinic keratosis in patients assisted in the extension project "Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Actinic Keratosis and Field Cancerization in a Health Unit"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51093Keywords:
Actinic keratosis, Prevention, Sun Protection Factor, Sun Burn, Disease Prevention, Public health.Abstract
This study aimed to identify and analyze the risk and protective factors associated with actinic keratosis (AK) among patients in a university extension project. The methodology involved a descriptive and observational case report of 22 patients, aged 16 to 87, treated at the Afya Garanhuns clinic. Sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioral variables were analyzed during clinical sessions in late 2025. Results showed that 22.7% of the participants were diagnosed with AK, with a higher prevalence among elderly individuals and those with a history of chronic occupational sun exposure, particularly in agriculture. Furthermore, low adherence to sunscreen and physical barriers was noted among those diagnosed, who were treated with a topical formulation of 5-fluorouracil, salicylic acid, and niacinamide. It is concluded that AK is strongly related to cumulative photodamage and the lack of adequate photoprotection. The project proved essential for early lesion screening and health education, integrating academic clinical practice with community care to reduce skin cancer morbidity.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Isabelle Pereira de Magalhães Mandú, Daniela Arruda Macêdo Tinoco de Albuquerque, Isabelle Vivian Soares Pereira, Olívia Letícia Oliveira Santos, Yasmin Queiroz de Carvalho Lisboa Figueredo, Ceres Jamille Araújo dos Santos, Antonio Oliveira da Silva Filho
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