Ambient UV, personal sun exposure and risk of multiple primary melanomas. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: Sun exposure is the main cause of melanoma in populations of European origin. No previous study has examined the effect of sun exposure on risk of multiple primary melanomas compared with people who have one melanoma. METHODS: We identified and enrolled 2,023 people with a first primary melanoma (controls) and 1,125 with multiple primary melanomas (cases) in seven centers in four countries, recorded their residential history to assign ambient UV and interviewed them about their sun exposure. RESULTS: Risk of multiple primary melanomas increased significantly (P<0.05) to OR=2.10 for the highest exposure quarter of ambient UV irradiance at birth and 10 years of age, to OR=1.38 for lifetime recreational sun exposure, to OR=1.85 for beach and waterside activities, to OR=1.57 for vacations in a sunnier climate, to OR=1.50 for sunburns. Occupational sun exposure did not increase risk (OR=1.03 for highest exposure). Recreational exposure at any age increased risk and appeared to add to risk from ambient UV in early life. CONCLUSIONS: People who have had a melanoma can expect to reduce their risk of a further melanoma by reducing recreational sun exposure whatever their age. The same is probably true for a person who has never had a melanoma.

publication date

  • January 6, 2007

Research

keywords

  • Melanoma
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Sunlight
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4206211

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 33847636176

PubMed ID

  • 17206532

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 18

issue

  • 3