PA08 Primary prevention of skin cancer during early childhood in Ireland

Abstract

The majority of skin cancer is preventable, and 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood. We assess ultraviolet exposure, protective measures and parental influence on children aged 3–10 years. A survey-based cross-sectional study was completed by 389 parents. The children’s median age was 6 years (interquartile range 4–8). The median daily time outdoors from April and September was 3 h on weekdays, 4 h on weekends and 4 h on school holidays. In the previous month between 10.00 h and 16.00 h, 73% of children (n = 285) were outdoors on weekdays for 30 min to 2 h and 63% (n = 246) were outdoors on weekends for 1–3 h. Overall, 30% (n = 115) had one to five sunburns in the previous year, and 92% (n = 356) had no history of severe sunburn. The most frequent sun-protective behaviour of children on sunny days was sunscreen, in 49% (n = 190), while 4% (n = 16) always wore long-sleeved tops, 21% (n = 79) always wore hats, 1% (n = 3) always wore sunglasses and 2% (n = 9) always stayed in shade (percentages of available data). On warm cloudy days 22% (n = 85) always applied sunscreen, 5% (n = 18) wore long-sleeved tops, 10% (n = 39) wore hats, 0.3% (n = 1) wore sunglasses and 2% (n = 6) stayed in the shade. A statistically significant association [χ2(6) = 55.4; P < 0.001] was demonstrated between parental and child sunburn frequency, wearing long sleeves (χ2 = 125; P < 0.001), shade seeking (χ2 = 142; P < 0.001), applying sunscreen (χ2 = 141; P < 0.001), wearing hats (χ2 = 57.8; P < 0.001 and wearing sunglasses (χ2 = 30.8; P < 0.001). Overall, 61% of schools (n = 226) had a sun-protection policy. School outdoor exposure primarily occurred between 11.00 h and 13.00 h (47%, n = 251) and 09.00 h to 11.00 h (33%, n = 176). Shaded areas were provided by 64% (n = 237), as well as sunscreen 15% (n = 55) and hats 7% (n = 26). Schools requested 63% of pupils (n = 234) to bring hats and 59% (n = 219) to bring sunscreen. Primary prevention programmes in Ireland need to target UV exposure, protective habits and parental education of children aged 3–10 years.