Sun exposure and melanoma risk at different latitudes: a pooled analysis of 5700 cases and 7216 controls

Chang, Y.-m. et al. (2009) Sun exposure and melanoma risk at different latitudes: a pooled analysis of 5700 cases and 7216 controls. International Journal of Epidemiology, 38(3), pp. 814-830. (doi: 10.1093/ije/dyp166) (PMID:19359257) (PMCID:PMC2689397)

Abstract

Background: Melanoma risk is related to sun exposure; we have investigated risk variation by tumour site and latitude. Methods: We performed a pooled analysis of 15 case–control studies (5700 melanoma cases and 7216 controls), correlating patterns of sun exposure, sunburn and solar keratoses (three studies) with melanoma risk. Pooled odds ratios (pORs) and 95% Bayesian confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Bayesian unconditional polytomous logistic random-coefficients models. Results: Recreational sun exposure was a risk factor for melanoma on the trunk (pOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4–2.2) and limbs (pOR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), but not head and neck (pOR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8–1.4), across latitudes. Occupational sun exposure was associated with risk of melanoma on the head and neck at low latitudes (pOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0–3.0). Total sun exposure was associated with increased risk of melanoma on the limbs at low latitudes (pOR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.2), but not at other body sites or other latitudes. The pORs for sunburn in childhood were 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3–1.7), 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3–1.7) and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1–1.7) for melanoma on the trunk, limbs, and head and neck, respectively, showing little variation across latitudes. The presence of head and neck solar keratoses was associated with increased risk of melanoma on the head and neck (pOR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.7–9.1) and limbs (pOR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.9–8.4). Conclusion: Melanoma risk at different body sites is associated with different amounts and patterns of sun exposure. Recreational sun exposure and sunburn are strong predictors of melanoma at all latitudes, whereas measures of occupational and total sun exposure appear to predict melanoma predominately at low latitudes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mackie, Professor Rona
• Authors: Chang, Y.-m., Barrett, J. H., Bishop, D. T., Armstrong, B. K., Bataille, V., Bergman, W., Berwick, M., Bracci, P. M., Elwood, J. M., Ernstoff, M. S., Gallagher, R. P., Green, A. C., Gruis, N. A., Holly, E. A., Ingvar, C., Kanetsky, P. A., Karagas, M. R., Lee, T. K., Le Marchand, L., Mackie, R. M., Olsson, H., Østerlind, A., Rebbeck, T. R., Sasieni, P., Siskind, V., Swerdlow, A. J., Titus-Ernstoff, L., Zens, M. S., and Newton-Bishop, J. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Epidemiology
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0300-5771
• ISSN (Online): 1464-3685
• Published Online: 08 April 2009
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Epidemiology 38(3): 814-830
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License