Risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and skin malignancies in patients diagnosed with cataract.

The rapid increase of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in industrialized countries is yet unexplained. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been suggested as an aetiologic factor due to observed elevated risks of cutaneous malignancies after NHL and vice versa. Cataract, as related to UVR, was tested as a proxy variable to further elucidate this observation.

Is self-assessment of skin type a valid method for adolescents?

Self-assessed sun sensitivity (skin type) according to Fitzpatrick's classification has been reported to have drawbacks. Data from a cross-sectional study of tanning habits in Stockholm, Sweden, showed an underestimation of sun sensitivity among adolescents. Cautionary advice regarding sun and sun bed exposure, and sunscreen use versus skin type may have to be revised.

Swedish pre-school children's UVR exposure - a comparison between two outdoor environments.

Background: Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in childhood is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Shady environments are recommended as one method of protection.

Methods: Environmental exposure to UVR and environmental protection were assessed by dosimeter measurements on 64 children aged 1-6 years at two geographically close and topographically similar pre-schools outside Stockholm.

Sunbed use among Swedish adolescents in the 1990s: a decline with an unchanged relationship to health risk behaviors.

Aims: Sunbed use is common among adolescents, and may give an increment to UV exposure and an overall skin cancer risk comparable to that of the sun. Sunbed use was studied among 15- to 19-year-old adolescents in Stockholm County.

Methods: Data from two questionnaire surveys (1252 respondents in 1993, and 2950 respondents in 1999, survey tool partly revised) were analysed.

Tanning habits and sunburn in a Swedish population age 13-50 years.

As part of a skin cancer control programme, we studied the occurrence of self-reported outdoor tanning, sunbed use and ultraviolet (UV)-induced erythema in an urban area. A cross-sectional questionnaire study of 6000 adolescents aged 13-19 years, and 4000 adults aged 20-50 years was applied. Non-response was analysed for outdoor tanning and sunbed use.

Sunbed use in Swedish urban adolescents related to behavioral characteristics.

Background: Sunbed use among Swedish adolescents has not been extensively studied, nor has the social learning process associated with it. The purpose of this study was to explore Swedish adolescents' sunbed use in relation to sex, age, smoking, perceived physical attractiveness, attitudes to artificial and natural UV exposure, psychosomatic symptoms, and risk knowledge.

Methods: In the spring of 1993, 60 school classes comprising 1,502 students ages 14-19 were randomly selected to answer a questionnaire concerning sunbed use and sunbathing habits, smoking, perceived physical attractiveness, psychosomatic symptoms, and need for information about and knowledge of the risks of UV exposure.

Sunbed use in relation to phenotype, erythema, sunscreen use and skin diseases. A questionnaire survey among Swedish adolescents.

Sunbed use was studied in relation to phenotype, erythema, sunscreen use and skin disease. The study population comprised 14-19 year-old Stockholm adolescents in 60 randomly selected classes, with 1252 students providing information. More than half (57%) reported sunbed use > or = 4 times during the previous year.

Primary prevention of malignant melanoma in the Stockholm Cancer Prevention Programme.

Malignant melanoma is the most rapidly increasing tumour in Sweden. Sunburns in childhood and adolescence are considered a major risk factor. The Stockholm Cancer Prevention Programme addresses strategies to establish sun awareness in the population of Stockholm county by using existing networks of standardized child health and preschool services, educational systems including schools, colleges of nursing sciences and preschool teaching (integration of sun awareness in curricula, and in a new syllabus for environmental theory), the Federation of Swedish Pharmacies, and media.

Primary prevention of malignant melanoma in a Swedish urban preschool sector.

Malignant melanoma is the most rapidly increasing tumor in Sweden. Sunburns in childhood are considered a major risk factor. In the spring of 1989, a health education program was therefore initiated in Stockholm County in cooperation with the local preschool authorities in the area.