- Comment in:
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Am J Prev Med. 2004 Dec;27(5):482-3.
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Am J Prev Med. 2004 Dec;27(5):484-5.
Interventions to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation: a systematic review.
Saraiya M,
Glanz K,
Briss PA,
Nichols P,
White C,
Das D,
Smith SJ,
Tannor B,
Hutchinson AB,
Wilson KM,
Gandhi N,
Lee NC,
Rimer B,
Coates RC,
Kerner JF,
Hiatt RA,
Buffler P,
Rochester P.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. MSaraiya@cdc.gov
The relationship between skin cancer and ultraviolet radiation is well established. Behaviors such as seeking shade, avoiding sun exposure during peak hours of radiation, wearing protective clothing, or some combination of these behaviors can provide protection. Sunscreen use alone is not considered an adequate protection against ultraviolet radiation. This report presents the results of systematic reviews of effectiveness, applicability, other harms or benefits, economic evaluations, and barriers to use of selected interventions to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The Task Force on Community Preventive Services found that education and policy approaches to increasing sun-protective behaviors were effective when implemented in primary schools and in recreational or tourism settings, but found insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness when implemented in other settings, such as child care centers, secondary schools and colleges, and occupational settings. They also found insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of interventions oriented to healthcare settings and providers, media campaigns alone, interventions oriented to parents or caregivers of children, and community-wide multicomponent interventions. The report also provides suggestions for areas for future research.
PMID: 15556744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]