Protection of children against sunburn: a survey of parental practice in Leicester.

The incidence of melanoma in the U.K. is increasing more rapidly than that of most other malignant tumours. Sunburn in childhood increases the risk of malignant melanoma in later life and it is therefore essential that protection of children is improved if primary prevention of melanoma is to be effective. We asked 238 parents in Leicester how they protected their children against sunburn, how often their children suffered sunburn, and whether they had heard of malignant melanoma. Although most (80%) had heard of melanoma, 47% did not regularly ensure that their children used a sunblock lotion, and only 34% regularly protected them from the midday sun. Forty-eight per cent of parents stated that their children burned at least once a year. New approaches to public education about melanoma may be needed to improve the protection of children against sunburn.