Sun Protection Programs Aimed at Parents Are Effective

The programs prevent acquired melanocytic nevi in young children.

Melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers are two of the few cancer types to have rising rates worldwide. Acquired melanocytic nevi are known to be a risk factor for melanoma and occur as a consequence of sun exposure during childhood. Officials in Australia, which has the highest incidence of these tumors, have attempted to address this problem with a public education campaign that targets the parents of children and adolescents. Investigators assessed the value of this campaign by comparing trends in sun-protective practices employed by two cohorts of parents of 1- to 3-year-old children in Townsville, Queensland, a city with high levels of ambient ultraviolet radiation. The first cohort (201 children) was recruited from maternity hospital re…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)