At what age do sunburn episodes play a crucial role for the development of malignant melanoma.
The age relationship between sunburns and malignant melanoma was investigated in a population-based, matched, case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region (the highest risk area for melanoma in Sweden). Between 1988 and 1990, a total of 400 patients with a first diagnosis of malignant melanoma and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire including questions regarding ultraviolet radiation exposure. In addition, a literature review was performed. The average number of episodes of sunburn per year was significantly associated with malignant melanoma (relative risk, RR = 1.9 for > or = three episodes per year versus never). Outdoor employment during the summer was associated with a decreased risk for the development of malignant melanoma (RR = 0.8). Data from case-control studies and migration studies concerning age relationship between sunburns and melanoma are inconsistent. From our own data, we did not find a higher risk of melanoma developed in individuals who had experienced severe sunburns in childhood. Instead, a significantly increased risk was associated with sunburns after age 19 years, RR = 2.2 for a history of more than five times versus never. Even if the hypothesis is biologically plausible, that episodes of sunburn early in life are associated with a higher risk of melanoma, so far epidemiological evidence is scarce. There is a need for better prospective epidemiological studies addressing this issue.
Department of Surgery, Lund University, Sweden.
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Westerdahl
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Olsson
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Ingvar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications*