Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Prevention in Children and Adolescents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now categorizes skin cancer as epidemic. Nearly 90% of these deadly cancers start from sun exposure during the childhood years. This makes sun exposure in school-age children a serious public health risk, also one that school nurses can address. Solar radiation is now classified as a “known human carcinogen,” with ultraviolet rays joining the ranks of other known cancer-causing elements such as tobacco, arsenic, and radon. Sun exposure to unprotected skin results in painful burns, premature aging, cataracts, and weakened immune systems. School nurses can use the new CDC guidelines along with other local and state resources to develop a specific skin cancer prevention program for their schools. They are in a pivotal position to partner with students, parents, administrators, teachers, and coaches to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer in children. The article describes one high school’s skin cancer prevention project.

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A Randomized Clinical Trial of Precision Prevention Materials Incorporating MC1R Genetic Risk to Improve Skin Cancer Prevention Activities Among Hispanics

Cancer Research Communications ◽

10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0114 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 28-38

Author(s):

John Charles A. Lacson ◽

Scarlet H. Doyle ◽

Jocelyn Del Rio ◽

Stephanie M. Forgas ◽

Rodrigo Carvajal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Cancer Susceptibility ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Public Health Approach ◽

Average Risk ◽

Cancer Worry ◽

Prevention Activities

Purpose: Skin cancer incidence is increasing among Hispanics, who experience worse outcomes than non-Hispanic Whites. Precision prevention incorporating genetic testing for (melanocortin-1 receptor) MC1R, a skin cancer susceptibility marker, may improve prevention behavior. Experimental Design: Hispanic participants (n = 920) from Tampa, FL and Ponce, PR, were block-randomized within MC1R higher- and average-risk groups to precision prevention or generic prevention arms. We collected baseline information on demographics, family history of cancer, phenotypic characteristics, health literacy, health numeracy, and psychosocial measures. Participants reported weekday and weekend sun exposure (in hours), number of sunburns, frequency of five sun protection behaviors, intentional outdoor and indoor tanning, and skin examinations at baseline, 3 months, and 9 months. Participants also reported these outcomes for their eldest child ≤10 years old. Results: Among MC1R higher-risk participants, precision prevention increased sunscreen use (OR = 1.74, P = 0.03) and receipt of a clinical skin exam (OR = 6.51, P = 0.0006); and it decreased weekday sun exposure hours (β = −0.94, P = 0.005) and improved sun protection behaviors (β = 0.93, P = 0.02) in their children. There were no significant intervention effects among MC1R average-risk participants. The intervention did not elevate participant cancer worry. We also identified moderators of the intervention effect among both average- and higher-risk participants. Conclusions: Receipt of MC1R precision prevention materials improved some skin cancer prevention behaviors among higher-risk participants and their children and did not result in reduced prevention activities among average-risk participants. Despite these encouraging findings, levels of sun protection behaviors remained suboptimal among participants, warranting more awareness and prevention campaigns targeted to Hispanics Significance: Our results support a precision public health approach to reducing skin cancers among Hispanics, an underserved population in precision medicine, and may additionally improve preventive behaviors among their children.

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Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Prevention

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.1016/b978-0-08-097086-8.14136-4 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 696-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalie Schüz ◽

Michael Eid

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention

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Assessment of knowledge of skin cancer prevention and its relation with sun exposure and photo protection amongst gym academy members on the south of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ◽

10.1590/s0365-05962012000100004 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 36-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mariana Rocha Fabris ◽

Edson Souza Machado Durães ◽

Beatriz Castellar de Faria Martignago ◽

Luiz Felipe de Oliveira Blanco ◽

Thiago Rocha Fabris

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Protective Measure ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Study Results ◽

The World

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most frequent neoplasia in several parts of the world and also in Brazil. There is evidence of an increase in morbidity and mortality from skin cancer. Although the incidence of skin cancer is increasing, it is estimated that 45% of all preventable cancers worldwide are skin neoplasias. Several studies have emphasized the need for campaigns to encourage sun protection. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge about skin cancer prevention and its association with sun exposure and photo protection in gym members. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study during January to July 2009, including gym members of both sexes in the city of Criciuma. A self-administered questionnaire was used. The statistical analysis was conducted in a descriptive way in regards to the absolute and relative frequencies of the variables under study. RESULTS: Of the 317 questionnaires studied, 62% were from women and 38% from men. Skin types II and III predominated, and the average age was 27.6 years. 94.3% of the participants reported that they had heard about the risks of sun exposure, mostly in terms of skin cancer risk (80.8%). Most participants, especially women, reported some form of sun protective measure. CONCLUSION: The population studied, similar to that in other regions of Brazil and the world, is aware of the risks of excessive sun exposure and skin cancer prevention, but has not yet incorporated appropriate sun protection measures into their daily habits.

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Sun‐protection and sun‐exposure habits among sailors: results of the 2018 world's largest sailing race Barcolana’ skin cancer prevention campaign

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ◽

10.1111/jdv.15908 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 412-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. Zalaudek ◽

C. Conforti ◽

P. Corneli ◽

R. Jurakic Toncic ◽

N. di Meo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Prevention Campaign

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Are Environmental Interventions Targeting Skin Cancer Prevention among Children and Adolescents Effective? A Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17020529 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 529 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. Thoonen ◽

L. van Osch ◽

H. de Vries ◽

S. Jongen ◽

F. Schneider

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Environmental Interventions ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Safety Interventions ◽

Cognitive Determinants

Skin cancer, which is increasing exceedingly worldwide, is substantially preventable by reducing unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Several comprehensive interventions targeting sun protection behaviors among children and adolescents in various outdoor settings have been developed; however, there is a lack of insight on stand-alone effectiveness of environmental elements. To compose future skin cancer prevention interventions optimally, identification of effective environmental components is necessary. Hence, an extensive systematic literature search was conducted, using four scientific databases and one academic search engine. Seven relevant studies were evaluated based on stand-alone effects of various types of environmental sun safety interventions on socio-cognitive determinants, sun protection behaviors, UVR exposure, and incidence of sunburns and nevi. Free provision of sunscreen was most often the environmental component of interest, however showing inconsistent results in terms of effectiveness. Evidence regarding shade provision on shade-seeking behavior was most apparent. Even though more research is necessary to consolidate the findings, this review accentuates the promising role of environmental components in skin cancer prevention interventions and provides directions for future multi-component sun safety interventions targeted at children and adolescents in various outdoor settings.

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