Ambient UV, personal sun exposure and risk of multiple primary melanomas

Abstract

Objective: Sun exposure is the main cause of melanoma in populations of European origin. No previous study has examined the effect of sun exposure on risk of multiple primary melanomas compared with people who have one melanoma. Methods: We identified and enrolled 2,023 people with a first primary melanoma (controls) and 1,125 with multiple primary melanomas (cases) in seven centers in four countries, recorded their residential history to assign ambient UV and interviewed them about their sun exposure. Results: Risk of multiple primary melanomas increased significantly (P < 0.05) to OR = 2.10 for the highest exposure quarter of ambient UV irradiance at birth and 10 years of age, to OR = 1.38..