Sun protection practices among children with a family history of melanoma: a pilot study

The goal of this pilot study was to assess sun protection practices and correlates among children with a family history of melanoma, a high risk and understudied group. Sixty-eight melanoma cases, recruited through the Los Angeles County cancer registry, completed a survey. Survivors provided data on 110 children (mean age = 8.11 years). Although most children used sunscreen (79 %), half experienced a recent sunburn. The mean sun protection level for the sample was similar to levels observed among average risk children. Efforts to reduce sunburn frequency and improve sun protection among these vulnerable children appear warranted.