S L Harrison1, P G Buettner, R MacLennan. 1. School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. simone.harrison@jcu.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the body-site distribution of melanocytic nevi (MN) with respect to habitually and intermittently sun-exposed surfaces. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of MN prevalence. SETTING: Townsville (19.16 degrees S), Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 5061- to 6-year-old white children who were born and raised in Townsville (response, 87.6%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Site-specific counts and densities (number per square meter) of MN. RESULTS: Densities of MN of all sizes were highest on the outer forearms, followed by the outer upper arms, neck, and face. The feet had the lowest density of MN. Densities of MN of 2 mm or greater were highest on the upper arms and trunk. Boys had higher densities of MN of all sizes on the neck than girls (P = .002). Girls had higher densities of MN of 2 mm or greater on the lower legs (P = .006) and thighs (P = .005) than boys. Habitually sun-exposed body sites had higher densities, particularly of small MN, than relatively sun-protected sites, and larger MN were most prevalent on the intermittently exposed skin of the trunk. CONCLUSIONS: These children have higher total body and site-specific MN counts and densities than children from elsewhere, and their MN are distributed over the body in a way that implicates exposure to sunlight. As sun exposure in childhood and MN are risk factors for melanoma, intervention studies are required to determine if MN can be prevented.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the body-site distribution of melanocytic nevi (MN) with respect to habitually and intermittently sun-exposed surfaces. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of MN prevalence. SETTING: Townsville (19.16 degrees S), Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 506 1- to 6-year-old white children who were born and raised in Townsville (response, 87.6%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Site-specific counts and densities (number per square meter) of MN. RESULTS: Densities of MN of all sizes were highest on the outer forearms, followed by the outer upper arms, neck, and face. The feet had the lowest density of MN. Densities of MN of 2 mm or greater were highest on the upper arms and trunk. Boys had higher densities of MN of all sizes on the neck than girls (P = .002). Girls had higher densities of MN of 2 mm or greater on the lower legs (P = .006) and thighs (P = .005) than boys. Habitually sun-exposed body sites had higher densities, particularly of small MN, than relatively sun-protected sites, and larger MN were most prevalent on the intermittently exposed skin of the trunk. CONCLUSIONS: These children have higher total body and site-specific MN counts and densities than children from elsewhere, and their MN are distributed over the body in a way that implicates exposure to sunlight. As sun exposure in childhood and MN are risk factors for melanoma, intervention studies are required to determine if MN can be prevented.
Authors: Athena T Dodd; Joseph Morelli; Stefan T Mokrohisky; Nancy Asdigian; Tim E Byers; Lori A Crane Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Lutz Kretschmer; Viktor Schnabel; Christian Kromer; Christoph Bauer-Büntzel; Annika Richter; Felix Bremmer; Fabian Kück; Katharina Julius; Christina Mitteldorf; Michael P Schön Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2022-01-20 Impact factor: 4.322