Sun Exposure

Melissa Long

doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0233

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Melissa Long, MD*

^*Children’s National Medical System, Washington, DC

Suggested Reading

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer. US Department of Health and Human Services. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General; 2014.
Ultraviolet Radiation: A Hazard to Children and Adolescents. Council on Environmental Health and Section on Dermatology, American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):e791–e817.
New Insights About Infant and Toddler Skin: Implications for Sun Protection. Paller AS, Hawk J, Honig P, et al. Pediatrics. 2011;128(1):92–102
Pediatric Sunscreen and Sun Safety Guidelines. Julian E, Palestro A, Thomas J. Clin Pediatr. 2015;54(12):1133–1140

AUTHOR DISCLOSURE
Dr Long has disclosed that she owns stock in Masimo and that she has a family member on the company’s Board of Directors. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million people treated annually. Although melanoma accounts for only 5% of skin cancer cases, it accounts for more than 75% of the morbidity, and the incidence is increasing faster than for any other solid tumor. Yet, it is not just a cancer afflicting older adults. It is the second most common form of cancer in women aged 15 to 29 years.

There is strong evidence that UV radiation (UVR) causes skin cancer. Since 2009, the World Health Organization has classified UVR from sunlight and tanning devices as a class I human carcinogen. Whereas UV-B rays are responsible for sunburn, UV-A rays lead to photoaging (ie, wrinkles, discoloration), and, importantly, both types contribute to the pathogenesis of skin cancer. However, the degree to which UVR contributes to an individual’s risk of cancer depends on a variety of factors, including his or her skin type, the age of the individual, chronicity of sun exposure, and use of sun protection measures. It is thought that intermittent but intense UVR exposure, especially in childhood, is important in the pathogenesis of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, whereas cumulative exposure …