| 1. |
- Westerdahl, J., et al.
(författare)
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At what age do sunburn episodes play a crucial role for the development of malignant melanoma
- 1994
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cancer. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-8049. ; 30:11, s. 1647-1654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The age relationship between sunburns and malignant melanoma was investigated in a population-based, matched, case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region (the highest risk area for melanoma in Sweden). Between 1988 and 1990, a total of 400 patients with a first diagnosis of malignant melanoma and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire including questions regarding ultraviolet radiation exposure. In addition, a literature review was performed. The average number of episodes of sunburn per year was significantly associated with malignant melanoma (relative risk, RR = 1.9 for ≥ three episodes per year versus never). Outdoor employment during the summer was associated with a decreased risk for the development of malignant melanoma (RR = 0.8). Data from case-control studies and migration studies concerning age relationship between sunburns and melanom are inconsistent. From our own data, we did not find a higher risk of melanoma developed in individuals who had experienced severe sunburns in childhood. Instead, a significantly increased risk was associated with sunburns after age 19 years, RR = 2.2 for a history of more than five times versus never. Even if the hypothesis is biologically plausible, that episodes of sunburn early in life are associated with a higher risk of melanoma, so far epidemiological evidence is scarce. There is a need for better prospective epidemiological studies addressing this issue.
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| 2. |
- Westerdahl, J., et al.
(författare)
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Southern travelling habits with special reference to tumour site in Swedish melanoma patients
- 1992
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Ingår i: Anticancer research. - 0250-7005. ; 12:5, s. 1539-1542
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Southern travelling habits were recorded for 127 melanoma patients from southern parts of Sweden (the 56th latitude), 55 thyroid cancer patients, 100 non-Hodgkin's patients and 794 healthy controls from the same region. Melanoma patients were found to travel significantly more often south of the 45th latitude, as compared with patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or thyroid carcinoma (RR = 2.2 for a difference of + 10 trips), and with the healthy controls (RR = 1.4 for a difference of + 10 trips). Considering men and women sepatately, the difference was significant only for men. Patients with melanoma had a higher educational level than the tumour controls and the healthy controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). There was a significant correlation between high travelling frequency and high education. An increased risk related to southern travelling was present for patients with melanoma on the extremities and head and neck, as well as for patients with truncal melanoma. These findings support the concept that acute exposure to sunburn may be a risk factor for malignant melanoma.
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| 3. |
- Westerdahl, J, et al.
(författare)
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Use of sunbeds or sunlamps and malignant melanoma in southern Sweden
- 1994
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Ingår i: American Journal of Epidemiology. - 0002-9262. ; 140:8, s. 9-691
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a population-based, matched case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region, which has the highest risk for melanoma in Sweden, the relation between the use of sunbeds or sunlamps and malignant melanoma was investigated. Between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 1990, a total of 400 melanoma patients and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire containing different epidemiologic variables. Questions regarding the use of sunbeds or sunlamps were included. The odds ratio for developing malignant melanoma after ever having used sunbeds or sunlamps was 1.3. Considering all age groups, the odds ratio was significantly elevated after exposure more than 10 times a year to sunbeds or sunlamps (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8). When the study was restricted to patients and controls younger than age 30 years because the use of tanning devices is much more common among young persons, the odds ratio was higher (OR = 7.7 for more than 10 times a year vs. none). These findings were independent of constitutional factors and factors regarding sun exposure. A dose-response relation was evident. Furthermore, among melanoma patients in this young age group, the ratio of females to males was significantly higher than in older patients. When different melanoma presentation sites were considered, only lesions of the trunk were significantly associated with sunbed or sunlamp use (OR = 4.2 for more than 10 times a year vs. none).
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