Melanoma Epidemiology and Sun Exposure

Abstract

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. www.medicaljournals.se/acta Acta Derm Venereol 2020; 100: adv00136 Centenary theme section: SKIN MALIGNANCIES SIGNIFICANCEYoung women present particularly high risky behaviours in terms of melanoma risk, such as tanning, related to social determined aesthetic needs. Indeed, the highest prevalence of sunbed use is found among female adolescents. Prevention recommendations include avoiding sunbed use, covering sun-exposed skin, wearing a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen should not be used to prolong intentional sun exposure. Primary prevention should focus on young women, and secondary prevention in older men. In fact, at older ages, the incidence of melanoma among men is greater than among women, probably because men are less likely than women to examine their own skin or present to a dermatologist for skin examination.The worldwide incidence of melanoma has increased rapidly over the last 50 years. Melanoma is the most common cancer found in the young adult population, and its incidence is very high among geriatric populations. The incidence of melanoma varies by sex, and this factor is also associated with differences in the anatomical site melanoma. Adolescent and young adult women have a higher incidence than men. This may be, in part, due to the greater use of sunbeds, as well as intentional sun exposure among girls and, in general, risky behaviours in seeking to suntan, due to sociallydetermined aesthetic needs. Indeed, the World Health Organization declared that there is sufficient evidence to classify exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunbed use and sun exposure) as carcinogenic to humans. Although pigmentation characteristics, such as skin colour, hair and eye colour, freckles and number of common and atypical naevi, do influence susceptibility to melanoma, recommendations regarding prevention should be directed to the entire population and should include avoiding sunbed, covering sun-exposed skin, wearing a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen use should not be used to prolong intentional sun exposure. Primary prevention should be focused mainly on young adult women, while secondary prevention should be focused mainly on elderly men. In fact, after the age of 40 years, incidence rates reverse, and the incidence of melanoma among men is greater than among women. This is probably due to the fact that men are less likely than women to examine their own skin or present to a dermatologist for skin examination.

Effectiveness of Educational Practices in University Students’ Knowledge about Sun Protection and Its Relation to Sunlight Exposure: An Exploratory Study in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution

“…The questions of the learning survey were specifically designed for this study by a dermatologist doctor, based on their clinical background and on a literature review including scholarly articles, reviews and original research related to the affects of individual behaviors regarding sun exposure [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. It is an anonymous self-reported learning survey [ 8 , 9 , 12 , 14 , 15 ] to collect information about knowledge and practices concerning solar exposure from the students who have already attended the “Education for Health” curricular unit. The learning survey was distributed to twenty students from the same institution (not included in the study).…”

“…In 2018, in Portugal, new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer were ranked seventh and new cases of cutaneous melanoma were ranked thirteenth when compared to other countries worldwide [ 10 ]. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is considered a major etiological factor correlated with the increase of the incidence of these neoplasias [ 11 , 12 ]. Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal type of all skin cancer, resulting from the malignant transformation of melanocytes related to genetic defects most often caused by ultraviolet radiation.…”

“…Furthermore, it has a relevant prevalence and increasing incidence, particularly over the last 50 years. In Western countries, it is strongly correlated with skin color, the presence of freckles and the number and characteristics of naevi as well as with behaviors, such as past sun exposure during childhood and adolescence, specifically when it has been intense and intermittent [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Therefore, the results support the need to promote the necessary reflection and debate on the way in which health education should be taught and analyzed, taking into account its central role and relevance to improve behaviors and the impact this may have on health promotion and on the prevention of disease. Education may help contribute to improving skin health as affected by sun exposure, helping to encourage the adoption of the correct practices to contribute to preventing the most common (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and the most lethal (melanoma) types of skin cancer [ 12 , 14 ]. Therefore, this study provides information for clinicians and educators on the scale of the problem.…”

Immunotherapy in Acral and Mucosal Melanoma: Current Status and Future Directions

“…In most countries, the incidence of melanoma has been increasing over the past decades (2). Factors behind this rise in incidence rates include increased implementation of skin cancer screening programs, increased UV exposure, the rising popularity of indoor tanning, an increased number of skin biopsies being conducted, improved public awareness regarding suspicious pigmented lesions, and an increase in the number of specialist clinics for melanoma (3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”