Prospective Study of Sunburn and Sun Behavior Patterns During Adolescence

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Childhood UV light exposures, specifically sunburns, have been shown to be associated with melanoma development later in life.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: To date, most studies in this age group have been cross sectional in nature. This is the first prospective study of sunburn and sun behaviors in this age group. abstract OBJECTIVES: Early childhood UV light radiation (UVR) exposures have been shown to be associated with melanoma development later in life. The objective of this study was to assess sunburn and changes in sunburn and sun behaviors during periadolescence. METHODS:A prospective, population-based study was conducted in fifthgrade children (∼10 years of age) from Framingham, Massachusetts. Surveys were administered at baseline (September-October 2004) and again 3 years later (September-October 2007). Surveys were analyzed to assess prevalence of reported sunburn and sun behaviors and to examine changes in response over the follow-up period.RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 360 participants who had complete information regarding sunburn at both time points. In 2004, ∼53% of the students reported having at least 1 sunburn during the previous summer, and this proportion did not significantly change by 2007 (55%, P = .79), whereas liking a tan and spending time outside to get a tan significantly increased (P , .001). In 2004, 50% of students reported "often or always" use of sunscreen when outside for at least 6 hours in the summer; this proportion dropped to 25% at the followup evaluation (P , .001).CONCLUSIONS: With at least 50% of children experiencing sunburns before age 11 and again 3 years later, targeting children in pediatric offices and community settings regarding unprotected UV exposure may be a practical approach. Because periadolescence is a time of volatility with regard to sun behaviors, learning more about children who receive sunburns versus those who avoid them is a critical research task.

Factors in Early Adolescence Associated With a Mole-Prone Phenotype in Late Adolescence

“…18–21 We previously reported on the stability and volatility of nevi in this cohort, finding a median increase of two new back nevi over a three year period from the fifth to eighth grade, with 75% of participants having one new back nevus. 22 Previous analyses also suggested that factors such as high baseline nevus count at age 11, globular nevi dermoscopic pattern, and sunburn were associated with an increase in total nevus count by age 14.…”

Melanoma and medical education: knowledge and sun safety practices amongst medical students

“…Framingham, Massachusetts conducted a population-based study showing that 55% of children reported experiencing one or more sunburns during the prior summer and, more alarmingly, only 25% routinely used sunscreen [8]. There is a need to integrate sunscreen use into children's daily routines to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.…”

Chemical and Common Burns in Children

“…They are the most common type of burn, with at least 50% of children experiencing a sunburn before the age of 11 years. 15 Sunburns will appear similar to thermal burns and can range from painless erythema to painful erythema with edema and bullae, appearing in sunexposed areas only. conclusively been shown to be superior.…”