Int. J. Cancer: 52, 159-161 (1992) 0 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Publicationof the InternationalUnion Against Cancer Publicationde I'Union InternationaleConlre It? Cancer
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir, Risk factors for skin melanoma in Moscow
Several constitutional characteristics such as fair skin, red or following recreational activity and severe sunburn (0sterlind et blond hair, blue orgreen eyes, tendency to freckle and presence al., 1988b; Elwood et al., 1985). of pigmentated naevi are widely accepted as risk factors for Most other workers, like us, did not observe an increased risk cutaneous malignant melanoma (Beral et al., 1983; Elwood among people with a history of continuous long-temr occupaet al., 1984, 1986; Holman arid Armstrong, 1984; 0sterlind et tional sun exposure (@sterlind et al., 1988b). This type of al.. 1988a). It has been also pos.rulated that intermittent sun exposure may even be protective, as suggested by Elwood et al. exposure is an importunt risk factor (Elwood et al., 1985). ( I 985). This finding led to the hypothesis that intermittent, but T o test the importance of endogenous and exogenous factors not constant, long-term exposure to sun is important in the in aetiology of skin melanoma in Moscow we conducted a aetiology of melanoma. case-control study. No association with risk was found with exposure to fluoresNewly diagnosed, consecutive cases at the All- Union Cancer cent light. Furthermore, we did not observe an increase in risk Research Centre formed the case sample for this study. None of associated with exposure to artificial light from sun lamps or the 96 patients had previously been treated for melanoma or sun beds. This corroborates previous studies (Elwood et al., other cancers and none had distant metastases. Controls 1986; Osterlind et al., 1988b). matched by age (within 5 years) were recruited from among An increased risk of melanoma was associated with late age persons visiting patients treated in the Cancer Centre. Cases at first full-term pregnancy; for those women who had their first and controls were interviewed, a check-up of their skin was child after the age of 35 years, the crude OR was 4.63, relative performed arid fasting blood samples were taken, for vitamin to those whose first delivery was before age 20. However, after (retinol, carotenoids and a-tocopherol) and fatty-acid analy- adjusting for other reproductive and constitutional factors, this sis. The laboratory tnethods use
I
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Publicationof the InternationalUnion Against Cancer Publicationde I'Union InternationaleConlre It? Cancer
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir, Risk factors for skin melanoma in Moscow
Several constitutional characteristics such as fair skin, red or following recreational activity and severe sunburn (0sterlind et blond hair, blue orgreen eyes, tendency to freckle and presence al., 1988b; Elwood et al., 1985). of pigmentated naevi are widely accepted as risk factors for Most other workers, like us, did not observe an increased risk cutaneous malignant melanoma (Beral et al., 1983; Elwood among people with a history of continuous long-temr occupaet al., 1984, 1986; Holman arid Armstrong, 1984; 0sterlind et tional sun exposure (@sterlind et al., 1988b). This type of al.. 1988a). It has been also pos.rulated that intermittent sun exposure may even be protective, as suggested by Elwood et al. exposure is an importunt risk factor (Elwood et al., 1985). ( I 985). This finding led to the hypothesis that intermittent, but T o test the importance of endogenous and exogenous factors not constant, long-term exposure to sun is important in the in aetiology of skin melanoma in Moscow we conducted a aetiology of melanoma. case-control study. No association with risk was found with exposure to fluoresNewly diagnosed, consecutive cases at the All- Union Cancer cent light. Furthermore, we did not observe an increase in risk Research Centre formed the case sample for this study. None of associated with exposure to artificial light from sun lamps or the 96 patients had previously been treated for melanoma or sun beds. This corroborates previous studies (Elwood et al., other cancers and none had distant metastases. Controls 1986; Osterlind et al., 1988b). matched by age (within 5 years) were recruited from among An increased risk of melanoma was associated with late age persons visiting patients treated in the Cancer Centre. Cases at first full-term pregnancy; for those women who had their first and controls were interviewed, a check-up of their skin was child after the age of 35 years, the crude OR was 4.63, relative performed arid fasting blood samples were taken, for vitamin to those whose first delivery was before age 20. However, after (retinol, carotenoids and a-tocopherol) and fatty-acid analy- adjusting for other reproductive and constitutional factors, this sis. The laboratory tnethods use
