Factors related to being sunburnt in 7-year-old children in Sweden.

Background: Epidemiologic research shows that being sunburnt as a child is an important risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). The purpose of this study was to investigate sunburn in relation to tanning habits and complexion among 7-year-old children living at different latitudes in Sweden.

Methods: Two municipalities were chosen at latitudes 65 degrees N and 68 degrees N in the north of Sweden and two at latitude 57 degrees N in the south.

Common melanocytic nevi in 7-year-old schoolchildren residing at different latitudes in Sweden.

Background: Current epidemiologic research shows consistently that increased number of acquired common melanocytic nevi (CMN) is an important risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of CMN in relation to tanning habits and complexion among 7-year-old children residing at different latitudes in Sweden.

Methods: Two municipalities were chosen at latitude 65 degrees N to 68 degrees N in the north of Sweden and two at latitude 57 degrees N in the south.

Risk perception, optimistic bias, and readiness to change sun related behaviour.

Background: The incidence of skin cancer has had a rapid increase in Sweden during the last 20 years. Sun exposure is an important preventable risk factor for skin cancer. It is essential to develop interventions to change people's exposure to the sun.

The importance of assessing the readiness to change sun-protection behaviours: a population-based study.

The purpose of this study was to collect information that may be valuable in developing successful skin cancer prevention programmes. A random sample of 6000 adolescents and 4000 adults answered a questionnaire about sun-related issues. The response rate was 68%.

Attitudes, subjective norms and perception of behavioural control as predictors of sun-related behaviour in Swedish adults.

Background: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major preventable cause of skin cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the explanatory value of attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on behaviours related to UV exposure.

Method: A random population-based sample (n = 1752, 18-37 years of age) in the Stockholm County, Sweden, answered a questionnaire with items on sun related behaviours and beliefs.

Skin diseases caused by ultraviolet radiation: the cost of illness.

Objectives: To assess the annual direct and indirect costs of skin diseases caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Methods: A model for cost-of-illness, including costs for hospital care, primary care, pharmaceuticals, mortality, and morbidity, for approximately 1.8 million inhabitants in Stockholm.

Reasons to seek medical attention for a skin check-up: the layman's perspective.

Background: The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma has increased rapidly in Sweden during the last 20 years. One way of reducing mortality is through early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why different people seek medical attention for pigmented skin lesions, using a qualitative approach.

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.

Sun habits in kidney transplant recipients with skin cancer: a case-control study of possible causative factors.

Organ transplant recipients are frequently affected by skin cancer, which might also be a major cause of long-term mortality. Excessive sun exposure is considered to be a factor in the aetiology, but uncertainty about the importance of this and other proposed risk factors remains. The purpose of this study was to investigate sun behaviour before and/or after the transplantation in kidney transplant recipients with or without cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Laypersons' perceptual discrimination of pigmented skin lesions.

Background: Most cutaneous malignant melanomas of the skin are visible and should, at least in theory, be possible to detect with the naked eye.

Objective: This study was conducted to learn more about laypersons' ability to discriminate between benign pigmented lesions and malignant ones.

Methods: Four groups of laypersons (n = 120) were asked to evaluate pictures of different types of pigmented skin lesions, before and after they received information about the ABCD (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, and diameter greater than 6 mm) criteria, with respect to the necessity of action.