Contribution of family history of melanoma to associated risk factors: Analysis of an Internet-based risk assessment tool.

10546 Background: Risk factors for melanoma (ML) include UV exposure, sunburns, multiple nevi, and fair skin. Smoking and alcohol use may also play a role. Demographics associated with increased UV exposure include male gender, white race, age 18-29, and high-income. Those with family history (FH) of ML have increased risk of developing ML themselves yet are often unaware or do not engage in preventive behaviors. We sought to understand the association between FH of ML and other personal risk factors for cancer. Methods: Since 2009, voluntary participants could receive personalized information regarding their cancer risk via the OncoLink.org Reduce My Risk tool. Survey data was collected on demographics, FH, risk-factors, and risk-associated behaviors. Use of data was IRB approved. Differences between respondents with v. without FH of ML were analyzed using chi-square test and adjusted via logistic regression. Results: 25255 responses were analyzed; 1928 (7.6%) had FH of ML. Of these, median age was 26 (range 18-75), 73.1% were female, 88.6% from North America, 91.4% White, 78.2% had at least some college, and 62.0% household income > $45,000. Comparing those with FH of ML to those without, no significant differences were observed in education, income, or home setting. Those with a FH of ML were less likely to be “light” smokers ( < 1 pack per day) but were more likely to be both “light” drinkers and “heavy” drinkers (Table). There were no significant differences in BMI or exercise habits. Those with FH of ML were more likely to sunbathe, to have had “blistering” sunburns, have 50+ moles, show signs of sun damage on their skin, and have dysplastic nevi (Table). There were no differences in use of indoor tanning beds (Table). Conclusions: Those with a FH of ML were more likely to sunbathe and to report skin damage and history of blistering sunburns; they were more likely to use tanning beds, though not statistically significant. These behaviors are modifiable and may suggest parental influence on sun-protective behaviors. Those with FH also reported increased non-modifiable risks. Future work should continue to explore targeted intervention for those with a FH of ML to educate on risk and promote sun-protective behaviors.[Table: see text]

Influence of Parental Attachment and Life Satisfaction on Social Tanning Behavior

The goal of the study was to explore college students’ social tanning behavior based on their parental attachment and life satisfaction. The data were collected from a sample of 333 college students using a self-administered online survey tool. The questionnaire consisted of multi-item scales measuring parental attachment, life satisfaction, and social tanning behaviors (tanning bed use vs. sun tanning) along with demographic questions. The majority of the participants were female (80.2%) and Caucasian (76.9%), with an average age of 19.8 years. Results suggest that there is an association between having a high parental attachment and engaging in “social sun tanning.” College students who are highly satisfied with their life are less likely to use tanning beds with friends and families. Intervention strategies to deter harmful body-tanning should be designed to consider ways of improving quality of relationships and life.

Abstract P543: Association Of Tanning Bed Use With Depression In A Preventive Medicine Cohort: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

Importance: The use of tanning beds continues despite evidence of increased skin cancer risk among users. In the US, the prevalence of indoor tanning ranges from 35% of adults to 59% of college students. Objective: To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and tanning bed use. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A preventive medicine clinic in Dallas, Texas. Participants: Between September 2013 and June 2019, a total of 11,823 generally healthy men and women presented for preventive medical examinations. Exposure: Self-reported tanning bed use. Main Outcome and Measures: Depressive symptoms as indicated by a score of greater than or equal to 10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Results: Fifteen percent of participants had used a tanning bed prior to their examination. For men, tanning bed use was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms (OR: 1.86; 95% CI:1.41-2.44). For women, the association between the use of tanning beds and depressive symptoms was significant in an unadjusted model, but was no longer significant after adjustment for confounders (OR: 1.26; 95% CI:0.99-1.61). However, the odds ratio was still in the direction of increased risk. Women with a personal history of depression were more likely to tan frequently and have higher CES-D scores than women with no personal history of depression ( p = .003). Conclusions and Relevance: In a generally healthy population, depressive symptoms were associated with the use of a tanning bed. This association was more evident in those with a history of depression, although remained true for those without a history of depression. As recurrent tanning bed use is known to contribute to the diagnosis of melanoma, it is critical to help patients identify other options to treat depression as well as to educate them on the risks of routine tanning bed use.

Trends in Tanning Bed Use, Motivation, and Risk Awareness in Germany: Findings from Four Waves of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM)

Indoor tanning is an important risk factor for the development of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. With our nationally representative monitoring, we aimed at describing tanning bed use, user characteristics, reasons for use, and risk awareness over time. In the framework of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM), we collected representative data on 12,000 individuals aged 14 to 45 years in annual waves of n = 3,000 participants in Germany between 2015 and 2018. We used descriptive statistics and chi²-tests to uncover group differences. To compare data from the different waves, we calculated confidence intervals. The use of tanning beds decreased from 2015 (11.0%, 95%-CI: 9.9%–12.1%) to 2018 (8.8%, 95%-CI: 7.8%–9.8%). However, this decrease did not affect all subgroups. For instance, there was an (non-significant) increase in minors and the prevalence remained stable for individuals with immigrant background and males. Attractiveness was an important reason for tanning bed use in each wave. Over time, there was an increase in medical-related reasons for use. Furthermore, monitoring showed a decrease in risk awareness regarding tanning bed use and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While it is a positive development that the overall use of tanning beds in Germany has decreased over time, the increasing use by minors despite the legal ban is alarming. Due to the declining risk awareness it is necessary to implement prevention and education campaigns specifically targeted at this group.