title: Sun exposure and number of nevi in 5- to 6-year-old European children.
abstract: The occurrence and number of melanocytic nevi are among the most important known risk factors for the development of malignant melanoma. Studying the causes of nevi should lead to successful strategies in the prevention of melanoma. Among 11,478 white German children of preschool age the association between benign melanocytic nevi and a number of risk factors for skin cancer was examined. We found that subjects with a reported history of increased sun exposure, for example, painful sunburns, and an increased number of holidays in foreign countries with a sunny climate had significantly higher nevus counts than individuals without these characteristics. Our results provide further evidence that nevus counts may not only be part of a genetic predisposition but also a result of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Together with the fact that a high nevus count is the most relevant risk factor for malignant melanoma, the results strongly indicate a connection between UV-radiation and the development of melanocytic skin cancer. In conclusion, strategies to reduce the incidence of melanoma should begin with young children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, University Street 25, Germany.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dulon
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weichenthal
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blettner
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breitbart
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hetzer
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greinert
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baumgardt-Elms
authors.forename: Eckard W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Breitbart
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006200:Hair Color; D006693:Holidays / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects