Site-specific protective effect of broad-spectrum sunscreen on nevus development among white schoolchildren in a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Melanocytic nevus density is a strong risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Reducing the number of nevi in children may reduce the risk of their developing melanoma as adults.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the effect of sunscreen use on nevus development by anatomic sites and by nevi of different sizes for white schoolchildren in a randomized trial.


METHODS
We compared the new nevus count between the sunscreen intervention group (n = 145) and the control group (n = 164) by anatomic site.


RESULTS
Children randomized to the sunscreen group had significantly fewer new nevi on the trunk than children in the control group. The differences were more pronounced among the freckled children than children with no freckles.


CONCLUSIONS
Potential limitations to this study include relatively small numbers of enrolled children, and a follow-up period of only 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Sunscreen use attenuated new nevus development on intermittently sun-exposed body sites for white schoolchildren, particularly among the freckled children.
Lee
Tim K
TK
Cancer Control Research Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Rivers
Jason K
JK
Gallagher
Richard P
RP
D000367:Age Factors; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001415:Back / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D044465:White People
D013473:Sunscreening Agents