Objectively-Assessed Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Sunburn Occurrence.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the primary modifiable risk factor for melanoma. Wearable UVR sensors provide a means of quantifying UVR exposure objectively and with a lower burden than self-report measures used in most research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between detected UVR exposure and reported sunburn occurrence. In this study, a UVR monitoring device was worn by 97 parent-child dyads during waking hours for 14 days to measure instantaneous and accumulated UVR exposure. The results showed that the participants' total UVR exposure was associated with reported sunburn after adjusting for Fitzpatrick skin type and geographic location. It was observed that one standard erythemal dose (SED) increase in the participants' daily total UVR exposure was associated with reported sunburn (an odds ratio (OR) of 1.26 with a 95% CI of 1.13 and 1.41, and p < 0.001 for parents and an OR of 1.28 with a 95% CI of 1.12 and 1.47, and p < 0.001 for children). A one-SED increase in the participants' UVR exposure from 10 am to 4 pm was also associated with reported sunburn (an OR of 1.31 with a 95% CI of 1.15 and 1.49, and p < 0.001 for parents and an OR of 1.33 with a 95% CI of 1.12 and 1.59, and p = 0.001 for children). We found that elevated UVR exposure recordings measured by the UVR sensor were associated with reported sunburn occurrence. Future directions for wearable UVR sensors may include their use as an intervention tool to support in-the-moment sunburn prevention.

Reactivity to UV Radiation Exposure Monitoring Using Personal Exposure Devices for Skin Cancer Prevention: Longitudinal Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging UV radiation (UVR) monitoring devices may present an opportunity to integrate such technology into skin cancer prevention interventions. However, little is known about the effects of using a wearable UVR monitor on adults' and children's sun protection-related behaviors and attitudes (eg, cancer worry and perceived risk). Understanding the potential role of reactivity and seasonal effects will help inform the use of objective monitors in the context of skin cancer prevention research, including intervention studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the potential reactivity associated with a wearable personal UVR monitor, specifically the effects associated with reported sun-protective behaviors and skin cancer-related attitudes, which are often the targets of skin cancer preventive interventions. METHODS: Child-parent dyads (n=97 dyads) were asked to wear a UVR monitoring device during waking hours for 2 weeks. Participants were asked to sync the device daily with a smartphone app that stored the UVR exposure data. Participants were blinded to their UVR exposure data during the 2-week period; thus, the smartphone app provided no feedback to the participants on their UVR exposure. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing sun-protective behaviors, sunburn, tanning, skin self-examination, skin cancer-related knowledge, perceived risk, cancer worry, response efficacy, and intentions to change behaviors over the 2-week period. Linear regressions were conducted to investigate changes in the outcomes over time and to account for the role of the season of study participation. RESULTS: Regression results revealed that there was a significant decrease over time for several sun protection outcomes in children, including time spent outdoors on weekends (P=.02) and weekdays (P=.008), sunscreen use (P=.03), reapplication (P<.001), and unintentional tanning (P<.001). There were no significant changes over time in children's and parents' UVR exposure, sunburn occurrence, or sun protection attitudes. Season of participation was associated with several outcomes, including lower sunscreen use (P<.001), reapplication (P<.001), sunburns (P=.01), intentions to change sun-protective behaviors (P=.02), and intentional (P=.008) and unintentional tanning (P=.01) for participants who participated in the fall versus the summer. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that daily use of a UVR monitoring device over a 2-week period may result in changes in certain sun-protective behaviors. These results highlight the importance of identifying and addressing potential reactivity to UVR monitoring devices, especially in the context of skin cancer preventive intervention research. Ultimately, objectively assessed UVR exposure could be integrated into the outcome assessment for future testing of skin cancer prevention interventions.

Higher Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Among Rural-Dwelling Versus Urban-Dwelling Adults and Children: Implications for Skin Cancer Prevention.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is a primary risk factor for the development of melanoma. However, adults and adolescents often do not engage in preventive behaviors to reduce UVR exposure. Rural residents may be at higher risk for melanoma due to lower use of sun protection strategies, which increases their overall UVR exposure compared to those who live in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in UVR exposure between rural and urban residents in a geographic area with high incidence of melanoma. Children (aged 8-17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) from rural and urban areas of Utah were asked to wear a UVR monitoring device for 14 days. The sample included 97 children and 97 adults. Data was collected from June to October 2018. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests and quantile regression were used to compare UVR exposure levels between urban and rural participants, separately for adults and children. For adults, rural residence significantly increased total UVR dose ( ß: 24.6; 95% CI 3.75, 42.74) and the UVR dose during peak UVR hours among participants with the highest UVR doses (ß: 16.3; 95% CI 17.4, 24.63). Rural children exhibited significantly higher UVR doses for peak UVR hours for the entire study period (ß: 4.14; 95% CI 0.83, 7.46) and on weekdays (ß: 0.39; 95% CI 0.05, 0.73). The findings from this study indicate that rural residents may receive higher levels of UVR exposure than urban residents, and that prevention efforts could be tailored to address these geographical differences.

The Feasibility and Acceptability of Using a Wearable UV Radiation Exposure Monitoring Device in Adults and Children: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, melanoma is the 5th most common cancer. Reducing ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is essential for the prevention of melanoma. Objectively assessing individual-level UVR exposure with the use of wearable technology offers a promising tool for reducing UVR exposure. However, the feasibility and acceptability of using UVR monitoring wearable devices have not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a commercially available UVR monitoring wearable device among adults and children. METHODS: The study recruited families (one parent and one child) to test a new, commercially-available UVR monitoring device (Shade). Participants wore the Shade device for two weeks and completed questionnaires assessing the feasibility and acceptability of wearing the device. Qualitative analyses were conducted to summarize participants' open-ended responses regarding device feasibility. RESULTS: A total of 194 individuals (97 adults and 97 children) participated. Participating children were on average 12.7 years old. Overall, adults and children reported moderate satisfaction with wearing the Shade device. Feasibility of use of the Shade device was adequate with 73% of adults and 61% of children reporting that they wore the device "all of the time they were outside." Through open-ended responses, participants reported appreciating the device's ease of use, compact size, and that it increased their awareness about their UVR exposure. CONCLUSIONS: A new, wearable UVR monitoring device can be feasibly used by adults and children and use of the device was acceptable to participants. The device could be integrated into melanoma preventive interventions to increase individual's and families' awareness of their UVR exposure and to facilitate the use of recommended melanoma preventive strategies.

A four-group experiment to improve Western high school students' sun protection behaviors.

Multicomponent skin cancer preventive interventions for adolescents that aim to decrease ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and sunburns are particularly needed given their intentional tanning and infrequent use of sun protection. The purpose of this study was to conduct an early-phase study within the Multiphase Optimization Strategy framework that experimentally tested four unique intervention components targeting high school students' skin cancer prevention behaviors. Schools (11 total, N = 1,573 students) were assigned to receive one of four interventions: skin cancer education (control), education plus a sunscreen activity (to illustrate sunscreen's UVR-blocking properties), or behavior change worksheet (sun protection goal setting and planning) or receipt of a personalized UV damage photograph (photograph of facial damage). Sun protection, sunburn, and tanning outcomes were assessed before intervention and at 1-month follow-up. Within- and between-intervention changes in outcomes were examined using generalized estimating equation modeling. All interventions were associated with significant improvements in sun protection. The photograph was superior in controlling intentional tanning and sunburn when compared to the behavior change worksheet (ps < .05). In contrast, the worksheet was associated with greater increases in sun protection use when compared with the photograph (ps < .05). In this experiment testing four skin cancer preventive intervention components that varied in approach, content, and interactivity, the behavior change worksheet was superior in improving sun protection use whereas the UV photograph was superior in controlling intentional tanning and sunburn. Future randomized trials to test combinations of these intervention components are needed, and could identify mechanisms underlying improved effects and demographic or behavioral moderators of intervention effects.