Aims: To determine the effect of an integrated skin cancer education program on skin cancer awareness and sun-protective behaviours in renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

Background: Sun-protective strategies focusing on skin cancer awareness are needed in immunosuppressed patients at risk of skin cancers.

Methods: A pilot prospective cohort study in Central Queensland was undertaken among adult RTRs, who completed survey questionaries on skin cancer and sun-health knowledge (SCSK), sun-protection practices and skin examination pre- and post-education.

Results: Twenty-five patients participated in the study. All participants completed questionnaires at pre-education, 3-month post-education and 92%(n = 23) at 6-month post-education. The mean age of all participants was 59 years (standard deviation, SD 11.4 years) and 64% were male. All participants were Caucasians and 72% had a history of skin cancer. There was a significant increase in SCSK scores from baseline at 3-months (19.7 [SD 3.1] vs. 21.8 [SD 1.5], p = 0.004) and 6-months post-intervention (19.3 vs. 20.9, p = 0.004). The frequency of outdoor activities of participants did not change significantly pre- and post-education, p = 0.549. Compared to baseline, the mean total number of sun-protective methods used changed significantly at 3-months (5.1 [SD 2.3] vs. 5.4 [SD 2.1], p = 0.043) and 6-months post-intervention (5.1 [SD 2.3] vs 6.0 [SD 1.9], p = 0.038). Compared to baseline, more RTRs stayed in the shade (p = 0.031) and wore sunglasses (p = 0.031) at 6 months. Interventional education enhanced regular self-skin examination rate (p = 0.002) but it did not significantly change the frequency of full skin checks by general practitioners (p = 0.219).

Conclusions: An integrated skin cancer education program improved knowledge of skin cancer and skin health knowledge and self-skin examination. However, it was not completely associated with an improvement in compliance with sun-protective practices.