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Counsel patients up to age 24 years on the merits of avoiding sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancers, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended May 8. The task force stopped short making the same recommendation for patients older than 24 years, saying that the evidence is not sufficient "to assess the balance of benefits and harms."
The panel noted in its recommendations the prevalence of skin cancer – affecting more than 2 million Americans yearly – and the rising incidence of can melanoma, with 70,000 cases in 2011 and about 8,800 deaths. The USPSTF said there was "convincing" evidence that ultraviolet radiation exposure during childhood and youth is linked to "a moderately increased risk for skin cancer later in life," but that for adults the evidence is only adequate, and, it is associated with just a small increase in risk.
There are potential downsides to counseling – for instance, it might lead kids to be less active – but no studies showed such a decrease, according to the task force’s recommendations. The document also noted that studies need to be done on whether sun exposure avoidance leads to lower vitamin D levels in adults.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association praised the recommendation for children and adolescents. "However, we firmly believe that behavior counseling is essential for all populations, including the adult population," said AADA President Daniel M. Siegel, in a statement. "Given this, we will continue our efforts to educate the public on skin cancer prevention, and encourage our members to conduct additional research in this important area," he said.
Counsel patients up to age 24 years on the merits of avoiding sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancers, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended May 8. The task force stopped short making the same recommendation for patients older than 24 years, saying that the evidence is not sufficient "to assess the balance of benefits and harms."
The panel noted in its recommendations the prevalence of skin cancer – affecting more than 2 million Americans yearly – and the rising incidence of can melanoma, with 70,000 cases in 2011 and about 8,800 deaths. The USPSTF said there was "convincing" evidence that ultraviolet radiation exposure during childhood and youth is linked to "a moderately increased risk for skin cancer later in life," but that for adults the evidence is only adequate, and, it is associated with just a small increase in risk.
There are potential downsides to counseling – for instance, it might lead kids to be less active – but no studies showed such a decrease, according to the task force’s recommendations. The document also noted that studies need to be done on whether sun exposure avoidance leads to lower vitamin D levels in adults.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association praised the recommendation for children and adolescents. "However, we firmly believe that behavior counseling is essential for all populations, including the adult population," said AADA President Daniel M. Siegel, in a statement. "Given this, we will continue our efforts to educate the public on skin cancer prevention, and encourage our members to conduct additional research in this important area," he said.
Counsel patients up to age 24 years on the merits of avoiding sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancers, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended May 8. The task force stopped short making the same recommendation for patients older than 24 years, saying that the evidence is not sufficient "to assess the balance of benefits and harms."
The panel noted in its recommendations the prevalence of skin cancer – affecting more than 2 million Americans yearly – and the rising incidence of can melanoma, with 70,000 cases in 2011 and about 8,800 deaths. The USPSTF said there was "convincing" evidence that ultraviolet radiation exposure during childhood and youth is linked to "a moderately increased risk for skin cancer later in life," but that for adults the evidence is only adequate, and, it is associated with just a small increase in risk.
There are potential downsides to counseling – for instance, it might lead kids to be less active – but no studies showed such a decrease, according to the task force’s recommendations. The document also noted that studies need to be done on whether sun exposure avoidance leads to lower vitamin D levels in adults.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association praised the recommendation for children and adolescents. "However, we firmly believe that behavior counseling is essential for all populations, including the adult population," said AADA President Daniel M. Siegel, in a statement. "Given this, we will continue our efforts to educate the public on skin cancer prevention, and encourage our members to conduct additional research in this important area," he said.