Vacations to sunny destinations, sunburn, and intention to tan: A cross-sectional study in Denmark, 2007-2009

Abstract

Taking a vacation in a sunny place is a risk factor for sunburn, especially for young people. The recommendation for sunscreen use should be re-evaluated, as intention to tan is the most important factor in sunburn on vacation and should be targeted more strategically.

Incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma in the Czech Republic: The risks of sun exposure for adolescents

“…Additional important risk factors include sunbathing during times associated with the greatest UV risk (11 AM -3 PM), complete or inadequate sunscreen use during adulthood, as well as regular holidays in the mountains during the winter, spring and summer. These results agree with the observations of Koster et al and Moehrle [30,31].…”

Incidence and survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma by morphology, anatomical site and TNM stage: A Danish Population-based Register Study 1989–2011

“…The campaign also promoted early detection of changes in moles. A video clip on sunbed use on YouTube achieved viral dissemination, with 14 million viewings, and was followed by a decrease in the use of indoor tanning beds [40]. Sun prevention campaigns (awareness) and melanoma screening programmes are associated with increased melanoma incidence rates through the detection of prevalent, slow-growing tumours [2,47,48].…”

“…The main established risk factors are a history of intermittent sun exposure, sunburn, age, immunosuppression, and phenotypic factors such as genetic susceptibility, gender, family history of melanoma, fair complexion and a large number of naevi [4,37]. While exposure to UV radiation is a well-known risk factor for skin cancer in Denmark [38], many Danes go on holidays in sunny locations with the expressed aim of sunbathing [39], and sun holidays have been found to contribute to the frequency of sunburn experienced by Danes [40]. This has been further substantiated by a recent observational study investigating the relationship between UV exposure and sunburn in 25 Danish sun-seekers during a week's holiday in the Canary Islands [39]; the percentage of the body surface area with sunburn was determined by daily skin examination, and the authors found that 100% of the Danes got sunburned during the holiday.…”

A Comparative Study of Google Search Trends for Melanoma, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer in Finland

“…Because interest reaches a bottom during winter time, it would be of interest that public health initiatives organize a second campaign of information during this period. Scandinavians and Finns tend to take sunny vacations to South Europe or the Far East during winter, increasing the risk of excessive sun exposure and sunburns [8, 9]. …”