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01-06-2011 | Original paper

Early-life sun exposure and risk of melanoma before age 40 years

Authors: Anne E. Cust, Mark A. Jenkins, Chris Goumas, Bruce K. Armstrong, Helen Schmid, Joanne F. Aitken, Graham G. Giles, Richard F. Kefford, John L. Hopper, Graham J. Mann

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 6/2011

Abstract

Objective

To examine associations between early-life sun exposure and risk of invasive cutaneous melanoma diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years.

Methods

Data were analysed from 606 cases and 481 controls from the Australian Melanoma Family Study, a population-based, case–control-family study. Self- and parent-reported sun exposure was collected by interview. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Self-reported childhood total sun exposure was not associated with melanoma overall, but was positively associated with melanoma diagnosed at 18–29 years of age (OR for highest vs. lowest quartile: 3.21, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.38–7.44; P _trend 0.02; P _interaction by age group 0.09). Analyses restricted to participants whose self-reported sun exposure was concordant with that recalled by their parents gave an OR for the highest versus lowest tertile of childhood total sun exposure of 2.28 (95% CI 1.03–5.04; P _trend 0.05), and for any versus no severe childhood sunburn of 2.36 (95% CI 1.05–5.31). The association of self-reported severe sunburn with melanoma was evident only in people who tended to tan rather than burn and in people who had few nevi.

Conclusion

The association of early-life sun exposure with early-onset melanoma is influenced by host factors.

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Title: Early-life sun exposure and risk of melanoma before age 40 years
Authors: Anne E. Cust
Mark A. Jenkins
Chris Goumas
Bruce K. Armstrong
Helen Schmid
Joanne F. Aitken
Graham G. Giles
Richard F. Kefford
John L. Hopper
Graham J. Mann
Publication date: 01-06-2011
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-011-9762-3

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Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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