BACKGROUND: Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally. Lifetime risk is associated with childhood sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether skin cancer prevention programs have resulted in improvements in sun-exposure and sun-protection behavior among young children in tropical Australia. METHODS: Two cohorts of 12-to 35-month-old children from Townsville, Australia, were compared: cohort 1 was recruited from hospital birth records (1991) and cohort 2 was recruited via local child-care centers (1999-2002). Children's phenotypic characteristics were assessed. Parents completed questionnaires detailing children's demographic characteristics, and sun-exposure and sun-protective practices. RESULTS: Although 1-year-old children from cohort 2 spent more time in the sun than those from cohort 1 (median 2.2 vs 2.8 h/d; P = .002), a higher proportion almost always wore sunscreen and a swim-shirt year round. Although more 1-year-old children in cohort 2 had experienced a sunburn (35.5% vs 51.2%; P = .007), both cohort 2 age groups experienced fewer hours of sun exposure to the back of the trunk (P < .001), were less likely to have been sunburned on the back/shoulders (age 1 year 34.8% vs 10.1% and age 2 years 52% vs 10.1%; P < .001), and acquired fewer melanocytic nevi at these sites (P < .001). LIMITATIONS: There was potential for socially desirable responses (information bias). CONCLUSION: Although duration of sun exposure in early childhood did not decrease during an 8-year period, reported use of personal sun protection did. The observed increase in popularity of swim-shirts and sunscreen between cohorts coincided with the development of significantly fewer melanocytic nevi in these children.
BACKGROUND: Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally. Lifetime risk is associated with childhood sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether skin cancer prevention programs have resulted in improvements in sun-exposure and sun-protection behavior among young children in tropical Australia. METHODS: Two cohorts of 12-to 35-month-old children from Townsville, Australia, were compared: cohort 1 was recruited from hospital birth records (1991) and cohort 2 was recruited via local child-care centers (1999-2002). Children's phenotypic characteristics were assessed. Parents completed questionnaires detailing children's demographic characteristics, and sun-exposure and sun-protective practices. RESULTS: Although 1-year-old children from cohort 2 spent more time in the sun than those from cohort 1 (median 2.2 vs 2.8 h/d; P = .002), a higher proportion almost always wore sunscreen and a swim-shirt year round. Although more 1-year-old children in cohort 2 had experienced a sunburn (35.5% vs 51.2%; P = .007), both cohort 2 age groups experienced fewer hours of sun exposure to the back of the trunk (P < .001), were less likely to have been sunburned on the back/shoulders (age 1 year 34.8% vs 10.1% and age 2 years 52% vs 10.1%; P < .001), and acquired fewer melanocytic nevi at these sites (P < .001). LIMITATIONS: There was potential for socially desirable responses (information bias). CONCLUSION: Although duration of sun exposure in early childhood did not decrease during an 8-year period, reported use of personal sun protection did. The observed increase in popularity of swim-shirts and sunscreen between cohorts coincided with the development of significantly fewer melanocytic nevi in these children.
Authors: Byron K Ho; Katie Reidy; Imelda Huerta; Kimberley Dilley; Susan Crawford; Brittney A Hultgren; Kimberly A Mallett; Rob Turrisi; June K Robinson Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 16.193
Authors: Anna E Barón; Nancy L Asdigian; Victoria Gonzalez; Jenny Aalborg; Tamara Terzian; Regan A Stiegmann; Enrique C Torchia; Marianne Berwick; Robert P Dellavalle; Joseph G Morelli; Stefan T Mokrohisky; Lori A Crane; Neil F Box Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Zamantimande Kunene; Patricia N Albers; Robyn M Lucas; Cathy Banwell; Angela Mathee; Caradee Y Wright Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-08-25 Impact factor: 3.295