Prevention of Skin Cancer in Preschoolers: Parental Experience in Photoprotection

Foundation: on average, three million cases of skin cancer have been generated globally in recent years. This situation occurs among other reasons due to constant exposure to solar radiation and non-application of photoprotection. Objective: determine parental experience in photoprotection during childhood. Method: an ethnographic study was carried out in the Educational Unit of the San Juan Parish of the Cant & oacute;n Riobamba, Chimborazo Province, during the study period from October 2022 to October 2023. 14 interviews were carried out with preschool caregivers, who were chosen through of non-probabilistic sampling. Two information collection techniques were available: self-report and semi-structured interview. Results: each of the categories that emerged in the study were described according to the level of frequency: photounity, photoexperience-knowledge and photosanity. A representational map was constructed in which it was determined that the family itself represents photounity, through the participation of all its members in protecting themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. The umbrella that covers the family reflects the photo-experience-knowledge acquired by the caregivers, which act as protection from sun damage through preventive and care measures. The sun and its solar rays symbolize photosanity, which corresponds to exposure to sunlight and its harmful effects on health. Conclusions: : the implementation of photoprotection measures from an early age is of vital importance for the prevention of skin cancer, so it is necessary to provide parents with adequate information about sun risks and preventive measure.