Higher number of sunburns during childhood and all through life is associated with increased risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, according to a study recently reported in JAMA Dermatology.¹

This population-based cohort study examined the association between the frequency of sunburn and the subsequent risk of cutaneous melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). For this, a team of researchers from Norway, UK and Australia enrolled participants, aged 31-70 years, from the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study from 1991 to 2018. Data regarding pigmentation factors, indoor tanning and sunbathing vacations was obtained via questionnaires. A total of 169,768 women completed the questionnaires, which included the annual frequencies of sunburns for childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Based on the number of sunburns experienced, the exposures were categorized as stable low, low-moderate-low, low to high, high to low and stable high.

Over a mean follow-up period ranging between 14.3 and 19.5 years, 1252 to 1774 women were diagnosed with incident primary melanoma, while 739 to 871 women were diagnosed with incident primary cSCC.

The risk for melanoma was significantly increased among participants with stable high (all through life) and high to low (high during childhood and low as adults) sunburn episodes with HR of 1.50 and 1.44, respectively compared to the stable low numbers throughout life. The risk for cSCC was likewise increased with HR of 1.51 and HR 1.47 respectively. The risks were also increased for other categories of exposure, but this was not statistically significant.

This study has shown that the risk for melanoma and cSCC was increased among women with higher numbers of sunburns throughout life and those with high numbers in childhood but low as adults. These findings highlight the need to avoid sunburns, especially during childhood by using appropriate sunscreens and suitable clothing to prevent these skin cancers.

Reference

1.    Lergenmuller S, et al. Lifetime sunburn trajectories and associated risks of cutaneous melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma among a cohort of Norwegian women. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 Oct 5;e224053. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4053