SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Sunbathing”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Influence of parent and child characteristics on a parent-based intervention to reduce unsafe sun practices in children 9 to 12 years old.

OBJECTIVE: To identify familial characteristics that may have influenced the effectiveness of a parent-based intervention to reduce unsafe sun practices in children aged 9 to 12 years (fourth through sixth grades). DESIGN: Randomized control design with a 30-day follow-up. SETTING: Participants were recruited from 2 distinct regions in the United States: southern Idaho and eastern Tennessee. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred forty children were assigned to the experimental group in which the parents received the intervention materials. One hundred twenty-nine respondents were assigned to the control group. INTERVENTION: The intervention provided materials that encouraged parents to communicate skin cancer risks, promote sun-safe behaviors, and discourage high-risk sun-related behaviors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included sunburn frequencies, sunburn severity, and sunbathing tendencies. The moderator variables were positive characteristics of the parent-child relationship, levels of negative communication, parental monitoring, and child compliance. RESULTS: Sunburn frequency, sunburn severity, and sunbathing tendencies were most effectively reduced when the quality of the parent-child relationship was high, the child exhibited high levels of compliance, and there were low levels of negative communication. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide evidence that parents can be viable change agents for child behaviors and that the quality of the family relationship is critical to the success of such interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Some environmental and bodily characteristics of melanoma patients. A case-control study.

A case-control study including 78 patients with malignant melanoma of the skin and 131 controls with the diagnoses of malignant lymphoma, testicular cancer or bone and soft-tissue sarcoma, was performed at the Norwegian Radium Hospital 1974-1975. The questionnaire contained questions for evaluating the comparability between cases and controls, and questions bearing on the relation between sun exposure and malignant melanoma. No essential difference between cases and controls was found as regards hair and eye colour, time spent outdoors during leisure, and degree of solar exposure. The melanoma patients liked sunbathing less than controls, worked more outdoors, more often went to Southern Europe for sunbathing and more often used sun lotions. These differences, however, were not clearly statistically significant. Highly significant differences were demonstrated as regards the tolerance of sun exposure and propensity to freckling. The melanoma patients tolerated sun exposure less well and freckled more easily than the controls. Although attempts were made to eliminate bias, there are still limitations and loop-holes in the study, and the relative risks demonstrated are not large enough to be of great immediate practical or scientific value. It seems justified, however, to advise persons with a low sun exposure tolerance to be cautious in following the sun-tan-demanding fashions. The study may also provide certain clues for the planning of future epidemiological and clinical studies regarding the etiology of malignant melanoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Recreational sun exposure in Puerto Rico: trends and cancer risk awareness.

Persons who sunbathe or engage in other activities at the beach are exposed to large amounts of UV radiation. Four hundred seven adults who visited the beaches of Puerto Rico were surveyed to determine their knowledge about the risks of sun exposure and to evaluate sunscreen use. The group consisted of 195 year-round Puerto Rican residents and 212 tourists. Ninety-five percent believed that the sun can cause skin cancer, although only half of the subset who lived all year in Puerto Rico believed that they personally received enough exposure to be at risk. The majority of the group (83%) understood the meaning of the sun protection factor numbers, although 35% used either nothing or a nonscreening oil. Half of Puerto Rican residents rarely or never used sunscreen protection while sunbathing. When sunscreen was used, the most important factor sought was given as sun protection factor (64%), followed by a perceived ability to aid in tanning (26%).

Adult↗

PubMed2007

Burns caused by accidental overdose of photochemotherapy (PUVA).

This study was aimed to alert the hazard of accidental adverse reactions of photochemotherapy (Psoralen-UVA or PUVA) that has been used in the treatment for some skin diseases and commercially for cosmetic tanning. Aside from the predictable side effects of PUVA such as erythema and itching, the accidental adverse reactions such as extensive burns could occasionally occur. Our observations indicated that six cases resulted from mistakes of medical personnel, and six other cases resulted from unsupervised mistakes of patients. The conditions that needed photochemotherapy were seven cases of vitiligo, three cases of psoriasis and two cases of tanning. The accidental overdose of UV radiation was about 3-10 times the empirically normal dose. Five of our patients were supposed to undergo topical PUVA, but they were irradiated at the dose of oral PUVA. One patient applied 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) cream together with taking 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) tablets for oral PUVA. Three other patients enjoyed sunbathing 1-3h shortly after finishing PUVA. A young couple chose 5-MOP to enhance tanning and sunbathed about 1h later. When another patient resumed PUVA in a 6-month cessation, he was exposed at a previous dose instead of a starting dose. Erythema and blisters of second degree burns developed in all our cases, 36-72h after PUVA, with 5-25% of body surface involved. Among the 12 patients, 3 were admitted and 9 were treated on an outpatient basis. All patients recovered in 1-3 weeks with no skin graft or no significant sequelae except post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Ten-year changes in sun protection behaviors and beliefs of young adults in 13 European countries.

OBJECTIVE: Sun protection behaviors are important to the prevention of skin cancers, but little is known about changes over time in attitudes and behavior. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were carried out among university students in thirteen European countries in 1990 (n = 10,241) and 2000 (n = 10,161). Sun protection behavior and beliefs about the importance of sunscreen use for health were measured. RESULTS: There was little change in the proportion of men and women who sunbathed, but use of sun protection increased over the 10-year interval from 52% to 63% in men and 80% to 87% in women. There was wide variation in sun protection use and strength of health beliefs between countries. The association between strength of beliefs and behavior was more marked in 2000 than 1990. Sun protection behavior was positively associated with the socioeconomic background of participants. CONCLUSION: The use of sunscreen increased among educated young Europeans from several countries over the 1990s, but important sex differences remain. Awareness of the risk to health of unprotected sunbathing is high, but there is scope of strengthening attitudes to sunscreen use.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Adverse effects of sunscreens in photosensitive patients.

Experimental and epidemiological evidence shows that the common photosensitive disorder of polymorphic light eruption is caused by the ultraviolet A component of sunlight. Sunscreens protect mainly against ultraviolet B; consequently they reduce sunburn and allow longer periods of exposure to the sun and to greater doses of ultraviolet A than would otherwise be possible. Patients with polymorphic light eruption who intend to obtain a tan by sunbathing should not, therefore, be treated with sunscreens which may worsen their rash, but should be advised to sunbathe without sunscreens for a shorter time.

Disease Susceptibility↗

PubMed1988

Prevalence of common "acquired" nevocytic nevi and dysplastic nevi is not related to ultraviolet exposure.

The precise role of ultraviolet radiation in the induction of nevocytic nevi is unsettled. We studied mole counts in relation to the attitude toward ultraviolet exposure in 508 students 18 to 30 years of age. Moles were counted on the chest, back, and legs. Lesions measuring 2 mm or less in diameter and those measuring more than 2 mm were recorded separately. Dysplastic nevi were also recorded separately. The attitude toward sun worship was related to the average periods of sunbathing, the frequency of holidays in sunny climates, and the use of artificial ultraviolet sources. The frequency of pigmented nevi showed no correlation with sun behavior, irrespective of sex, mole size, or burning and tanning propensities. This lack of correlation between ultraviolet exposure and mole counts held true for all solar parameters: periods of sunbathing, sunny holidays, and sunlamp usage. Contrary to expectation, there was a clear, although not statistically significant, excess of dysplastic nevi in subjects with short periods of ultraviolet exposure during leisure. From these data insufficient evidence emerges to support the hypothesis of a correlation between the occurrence of common nevocytic nevi and dysplastic nevi and the degree of insolation by natural or artificial ultraviolet radiation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

A randomised population-based intervention to examine the effects of the ultraviolet index on tanning behaviour.

The aim of the following study was to examine the effects of the Ultraviolet (UV) Index and a personal ultraviolet radiation (UVR) intensity indicator on tanning behaviour compared with general, written information about sun protection. A population-based random sample in Sweden was randomly assigned to four groups receiving different information packages (n=3200). Questionnaires were sent before and after the summer of 2001. Positive attitudes towards sunbathing as well as tanning and sunburn frequencies decreased. Knowledge about UV radiation and the use of sun protection increased for all groups. There were no between-group differences. Sun-related behaviours and beliefs changed, but information about the UV Index or a personal UVR intensity indicator did not decrease sunbathing and sunburn more than general, written information.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferases are associated with altered risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer in renal transplant recipients: a preliminary analysis.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among renal transplant recipients, with tumors behaving more aggressively than those in nontransplant patients. Not all immunosuppressed patients develop NMSC, however, and in those that do, the rate of accrual and numbers of lesions vary considerably. Though ultraviolet light is critical, it is unlikely that this alone explains the observed phenotypic diversity, suggesting the possible involvement of genetic factors. Furthermore, although twin studies in nontransplant patients with NMSC suggest a low genetic component, several genes associated with susceptibility and outcome in these patients have been identified. Thus, having previously shown that polymorphism in members of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) supergene family is associated with altered NMSC risk in nontransplant patients, we examined allelism in GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTM3, and GSTT1 in 183 renal transplant recipients. GSTM1 null was associated with increased squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) risk (p = 0.042, OR = 3.1). This remained significant after correction for age, gender, and ultraviolet light exposure (p = 0.012, OR = 8.4) and was particularly strong in patients with higher ultraviolet light exposure (e.g., sunbathing score > 3, p = 0.003, OR = 11.5) and in smokers (p = 0.021, OR = 4.8). Analysis of the interaction between GSTM1 null and sunbathing score showed that the two factors were synergistic and individuals with both risk parameters demonstrated a shorter time from transplantation to development of the first SCC (p = 0.012, hazard ratio = 7.1). GSTP1*Ile homozygotes developed larger numbers of SCC (p = 0.002, rate ratio = 7.6), particularly those with lower ultraviolet light exposure and cigarette consumption. GSTM3 and GSTT1 also demonstrated significant associations, though some genotype frequencies were low. These preliminary data suggest that genetic factors mediating protection against oxidative stress are important in NMSC development in immunosuppressed patients and may be useful in identifying high-risk individuals.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Recall bias in self-reported melanoma risk factors.

The evidence implicating sun exposure in the etiology of melanoma derives largely from case-control studies in which the retrospective assessment of sun exposure suggests potential for significant recall bias. Previous attempts at characterizing and quantifying that bias have had significant methodological limitations. In the International Twin Study, a case-control study of melanoma risk factors in twins conducted from 1980 to 1991, the authors asked melanoma cases and their co-twins to quantify their own exposures and asked which twin had the greater exposure. Recall bias was investigated by assuming that, if bias had occurred, the odds ratio based on the case's response would differ significantly from the odds ratio based on the co-twin's response. Case-derived odds ratios were higher than the odds ratios for the controls for sunbathing in childhood and adulthood and for mole frequency and freckling in childhood, suggesting some recall bias. The odds ratios for ease of burning and tanning appeared unbiased. The belief that sunlight was a cause of melanoma appeared related to an increased odds ratio for sunbathing as a child. There is a continuing need to carefully assess recall bias in the study of melanoma risk factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

'You and your skin': a short-duration presentation of skin cancer prevention for teenagers.

The effectiveness of a short-duration presentation of the educational material 'You and Your Skin' was tested on 184 adolescents (age 13-15) at the Year 7 and 8 levels. A non-equivalent control group design was used with pre-testing and post-testing 3 months after the intervention. The intervention increased the students' knowledge of known risks factors for skin cancers. However, the students' attitudes to abstaining from sunbathing and tanning was not significantly affected. The effect of the intervention on the stage of change was primarily a progression from the precontemplation stage to the contemplation stage regarding avoiding the mid-day sun. We conclude that a brief presentation of the educational kit 'You and Your Skin' can be used to increase knowledge, but there is a need for a more extensive intervention effort to affect students' readiness to change their behavior and attitude towards sunbathing and tanning. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the necessity of using the educational kit as a multi-lesson programme with its several group exercises.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Ultraviolet radiation exposure and risk of malignant lymphomas.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant lymphomas has been increasing rapidly, but the causes of these malignancies remain poorly understood. One hypothesis holds that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases lymphoma risk. We tested this hypothesis in a population-based case-control study in Denmark and Sweden. METHODS: A total of 3740 patients diagnosed between October 1, 1999, and August 30, 2002, with incident malignant lymphomas, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Hodgkin lymphoma, and 3187 population controls provided detailed information on history of UV exposure and skin cancer and information on other possible risk factors for lymphomas. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression. Statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed consistent, statistically significant negative associations between various measures of UV light exposure and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A high frequency of sun bathing and sunburns at age 20 years and 5-10 years before the interview and sun vacations abroad were associated with 30%-40% reduced risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (e.g., for sunbathing four times a week or more at age 20 versus never sunbathing, OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.6 to 0.9; for two or more sunburns a year at age 20 versus no sunburns, OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.5 to 0.8). These inverse associations increased in strength with increasing levels of exposure (all P(trend)< or =.01). Similar, albeit weaker, associations were observed for Hodgkin lymphoma. There were no clear differences among non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes, although associations were stronger for B-cell than for T-cell lymphomas. A history of skin cancer was associated with a doubling in risks of both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: A history of high UV exposure was associated with reduced risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The positive association between skin cancer and malignant lymphomas is, therefore, unlikely to be mediated by UV exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Stability of questionnaire items measuring behaviours, attitudes and stages of change related to sun exposure.

The use of questionnaires in epidemiological studies needs more methodological research. The time and effort spent on questionnaire design is often limited. Studies on the construction of questionnaires could lead to a higher quality of data, enhanced comparability and improved credibility of epidemiological findings. The aim of the present study was to examine the test-retest reliability of some common items measuring sun-related variables. A sample of 52 female Swedish nurses attending a postgraduate course in research methodology was chosen. They completed a questionnaire on two occasions spaced 3 weeks apart in the winter of 2000. When the results were analysed, items on sun-related behaviours and sunbed use were sufficiently reliable. The items on skin type and sunburn showed moderate stability. Stage of change related to sunlight exposure, items measuring beliefs about sunbathing along with items assessing self-efficacy and risk perception with regards to sunbathing showed lower stability. The results showed that many essential items concerning exposure to ultraviolet radiation and sunburns were sufficiently stable, but other items were less stable and could be improved upon; suggestions for improving these items are presented. The study illustrates the value of reliability testing in the process of item construction. Using methodological studies to improve the reliability and validity of data is an important step toward higher standards for questionnaire surveys.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Sun-related behaviour and melanoma awareness among Swedish university students.

The relationship between knowledge, attitude and sun-related behaviour among Swedish students was examined in the present study. A total of 296 of 305 questionnaires, distributed among university students (medical school and economy programme) were analysed (157 men, 139 women, mean age 24 years). The percentage of students sunbathing with the intention of getting a tan was 75%. Thirteen per cent reported having experienced at least one painful sunburn every year and 93% stated at least one burn during the last ten years. The majority of the students had used a sun bed, 12% more than ten times during the last year. Subjects with high frequency of sun bed use also scored high on sunbathing and sunburns. Significantly more women (70%) than men (51%) used sunscreen. The overall knowledge of melanoma was high. No difference in knowledge was found between the high- and low-exposure group. Medical students scored higher on knowledge than economy students, but did not differ in exposure score. Our findings reveal an excessive sun exposure among university students. A high level of knowledge of risk does not lead to a sun-protective behaviour. Future preventative campaigns targeting young people must focus on strategies to change attitudes towards tanning as being healthy and attractive.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Skin color of Koreans: statistical evaluation of affecting factors.

BACKGROUND: The L*a*b* three-dimensional coordinate system is the most popular system used to measure skin color. The purpose of this study was to collect standard quantified data on Korean skin color using a chromameter CR-300, and to investigate the relationships among skin color and the general and individual factors that affect it. METHODS: The 600 subjects used in this study were selected using a three-stage proportionate stratified and quota sampling method. We examined the color of 12 body parts of each subject and calculated the E* value (total color difference between two objects). This study also analyzed factors that may affect skin color. RESULTS: The average L*a*b* values for the 12 body parts were 61.7462, 9.5618 and 17.0778, respectively. The site of lightest skin was the medial arm (L=63.9249), whereas the darkest was on the forehead (L=58.0044). Redness was highest on the cheek (a=11.8694) and lowest on the medial arm (a=8.1844). Skin color was lighter and more yellow in females than in males, whereas redness was higher in males. In the case of total color difference between two specific sites, the medial upper arm and forearm were the most similar (E=3.23), and the forehead and medial upper arm were the most different in color (E=7.99). CONCLUSION: The factors that significantly (P<0.01) influenced L* were sex, work place and sunbathing, factors that influenced a* were sex, work place and smoking; and the factors that influenced b* were sunbathing and age.

Asian People↗

PubMed2005

Formulations of hydrogels and lipogels with vitamin E.

Vitamin E, a topically administered antioxidant, reduces erythema, photoaging, photocarcinogenesis, edema, and skin hypersensitivity associated with exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Virgin olive oil, which also has antioxidant properties, reduces the number of, and delays the onset of skin cancer induced by UVB radiation when used after sunbathing. Topical use after sunbathing of formulations that contain virgin olive oil and vitamin E may therefore reduce the number and delay the onset of UVB-related skin cancer in humans. We designed formulations of gels with olive oil (lipogels) and hydrogels containing 2% tocopherol. The formulations were optimized on the basis of rheological, organoleptic, biopharmaceutical, and cosmetic criteria. Different formulae for hydrogels with vitamin E were ideal for application after exposure to solar radiation because of their good organoleptic properties. Vitamin E lipogels are of potential use in cosmetics such as locally acting anti-aging treatments because of the antioxidant effects of vitamin E.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Sunscreens used at the beach do not protect against erythema: a new definition of SPF is proposed.

Since sunscreens are recommended by doctors and used all over the world to protect against sun induced erythema, it is important to evaluate if sunscreens are used as recommended and if the intended effect is achieved. We refer to the findings of several studies performed on people at risk of sun-burning at beaches in the vicinity of Copenhagen, Denmark. On a sunny day at the beach 65% of the sunbathers used one or more sunscreens. Of these, 46% used the sunscreen all over the body and a median sun protection factor (SPF) of 5-6 was used. The sunbathers used 0.5 mg/cm2 of sunscreen independent of skin type. Of the sunscreen users, 43% applied the sunscreen after arriving at the beach and 43% reapplied the sunscreen after swimming. The sun exposure time and the sun exposure dose were almost identical among sunscreen users and non-users. Self-assessed redness of the skin demonstrated that more sunscreen users than non-users reported to be red the day after sun exposure, 42 and 34%, respectively. Theoretical calculations support this findings and show a drastic reduction in the achieved photoprotection if a thinner layer than in the test situation is used. Sunscreens do not protect against erythema if not used as intended. Instead of changing people's habits, we suggest modifying the test method by adjusting the amount of sunscreen to that used in real life situations, 0.5 mg/cm2.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1993

Effect of intermittent exposure to sunlight on melanoma risk among indoor workers and sun-sensitive individuals.

Intermittent exposure to sunlight is considered to be an important risk factor for melanoma, but the associations reported in most case-control studies are surprisingly weak. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the incorporation of a subject's background exposure to the sun and pigmentation characteristics (which are assumed to influence a person's susceptibility to sunlight exposure) could produce stronger associations between sunlight exposure and the risk for melanoma. A population-based case-control study was performed in the mid-eastern part of the Netherlands. The study group comprised 141 patients with a histologically verified melanoma and 183 controls with other malignancies who were registered by the same cancer registry. Patients with a lentigo maligna melanoma or an acrolentiginous melanoma were excluded. Information was collected by interviews and physical examination. We categorized subjects as indoor or outdoor workers on the basis of occupational exposure to the sun. Pigmentation characteristics, which are known to be risk indicators for cutaneous melanoma, were summarized as one sun sensitivity score. We used this score to distinguish between sun-sensitive and sun-resistant persons. The odds ratios associated with sunbathing, vacations spent in sunny countries, and sunburns were higher among the indoor workers than among the outdoor workers. After stratification by the sun sensitivity score, the effect of sunbathing, participating in water sports (swimming excluded), vacations to sunny countries, and a history of sunburn was largest for the sun-sensitive persons. The data show a general trend toward higher relative risks among indoor workers and sun-sensitive individuals. The results of this study support the intermittent sunlight hypothesis.

Adolescent↗