Sun Exposure and the Incidence of Melanocytic Nevi in Young Australian Children

The number of melanocytic nevi (MN) is an important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma. The present study further investigated the relationship between sun exposure, the incidence of MN, and the prevalence of large acquired MN (≥5 mm). A cohort of 479 preschool children born in Townsville, Australia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention biomarkers & prevention, 2008-09, Vol.17 (9), p.2318-2324
Main Authors: LEE HARRISON, Simone, MACLENNAN, Robert, BUETTNER, Petra Gertraud
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
children
cohort study
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Dermatology
Female
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Melanocytic nevi
Nevus, Pigmented - epidemiology
Nevus, Pigmented - etiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology
Skin Neoplasms - etiology
sun exposure
Sunburn - complications
Sunlight - adverse effects
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tumors
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
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Summary:The number of melanocytic nevi (MN) is an important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma. The present study further investigated the relationship between sun exposure, the incidence of MN, and the prevalence of large acquired MN (≥5 mm). A cohort of 479 preschool children born in Townsville, Australia was examined for MN in 1991 and a year later. Sun exposure was assessed by questionnaire. The erythemally effective dose of solar UV radiation was estimated from questionnaire data combined with local UV biometry. Almost all (97.7%) children had acquired new MN (median, 12), with a median incidence rate of 11.0 per year (interquartile range, 7.0-16.5). Total number of hours of sun exposure during follow-up ( P = 0.034) and tendency to burn ( P = 0.028) were independent risk factors for MN incidence. Sunburn experience during follow-up failed to reach significance when adjusted for tendency to burn. Lifetime number of sunburns ( P < 0.001) and the severity of sunburns experienced during follow-up ( P < 0.001) were significantly related to the presence of large acquired MN at follow-up. Reducing the total number of hours of sun exposure is particularly relevant in sun-sensitive children and may restrain the development of MN, whereas avoiding sunburn in young children might prevent large MN, subsequently reducing the risk of melanoma. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(9):2318–24)
ISSN:1055-9965
1538-7755
DOI:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2801