BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to measure ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures of lifeguards in pool settings and evaluate their personal UVR protective practices. METHODS Lifeguards (n = 168) wore UVR sensitive polysulfone (PS) film badges in wrist bracelets on 2 days and completed a survey and diary covering sun protection use. Analyses were used to describe sun exposure and sun prot...

The objective of this study was to develop new scales measuring knowledge and attitude about UVR and sun related behavior, and to examine their association to sun related behavior objectively measured by personal dosimetry. During May-August 2013, 664 Danes wore a personal electronic UV-dosimeter for one week that measured their UVR exposure. Afterwards, they answered a questionnaire on sun-rel...

The number of melanocytic nevi (MN) is an important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma. The present study further investigated the relationship between sun exposure, the incidence of MN, and the prevalence of large acquired MN (>or=5 mm). A cohort of 479 preschool children born in Townsville, Australia was examined for MN in 1991 and a year later. Sun exposure was assessed by questionnaire. The...

CONTEXT Lack of sun exposure is widely accepted as the primary cause of epidemic low vitamin D status worldwide. However, some individuals with seemingly adequate UV exposure have been reported to have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, results that might have been confounded by imprecision of the assays used. OBJECTIVE The aim was to document the 25(OH)D status of healthy...

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ireland and numbers are continuing to increase year on year. 1-3 90% of skin cancer is preventable with optimal sun protection. Our aims were to assess patients’ knowledge of sun protection, level of sun exposure and sun protection practices and to examine any correlations between these variables. A cross-sectional validated questionnaire-b...

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is the most common neoplasm in white populations, and solar radiation is generally accepted to be the dominant environmental risk factor for this disease. However, little information is available on the nature of the relationship between BCC and sunlight. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nature of the relationship between...

Sun exposure is the most important source of vitamin D, but is also a risk factor for skin cancer. This study investigated attitudes toward vitamin D, and changes in sun-exposure behavior due to concern about adequate vitamin D. Participants (n = 1002) were recruited from four regions of Australia and completed self- and interviewer-administered surveys. Chi-square tests were used to assess ass...

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is an important risk factor for skin cancer. The Global Solar Ultraviolet Index (UVI) was developed as a tool to visualize the amount of harmful radiation and to encourage people to use sun protection. We conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of the UVI. We employed a comprehensive search strategy to explore the impact of the UVI on five outcome ca...

Cancer, long a serious problem in developed countries, is now becoming a serious health concern throughout the world. There has been an alarming increase in the number of new cases of melanoma each year, this cancer increasing at a faster rate than any other neoplasm in some regions. This may be a result of depletion of the ozone layer. An association between non-melanocytic skin cancer and exp...

BACKGROUND More than 2 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, and melanoma incidence is increasing. PURPOSE To assist the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in updating its 2003 recommendation on behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer. DATA SOURCES Existing systematic reviews, database searches through February 2010, and outside experts. STUDY SEL...