Grant Number:	1R01CA158407-01A1 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator:	Cockburn, Myles
Organization:	University Of Southern California
Project Title:	An Innovative, Curriculum-Based Integrated Sun Exposure Behavior Intervention for
Fiscal Year:	2012

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Melanoma incidence rates continue to increase worldwide, despite widespread efforts at primary prevention based on sun exposure avoidance education. Childhood sun exposure not only increases melanoma risk, but also establishes lifetime patterns of sun exposure and protection. In many areas where specific primary prevention efforts involving childhood education have been adopted, little impact on the overall melanoma burden has been realized. This is most likely because, as a wealth of previous study has shown, there is a disconnect between knowledge of 'safe' sun exposures and any resulting behavioral change. Our objective in this study is to test a novel classroom-based hands-on educational intervention to motivate youth to limit their sun exposure, and affect sun exposure behavior change. We have been conducting a SunSmart educational program in Los Angeles area schools for 5 years, and aim to use those established relationships to ensure the success of this study. We will recruit at least 1,575 students from at least 18 schools to participate in a randomized trial of the effect our Intervention, the UV Dosimetry Laboratory (in comparison to SunSmart alone) in changing sun exposure behavior. We will establish baseline sun exposure knowledge, attitudes and behavior, conduct the Intervention, then conduct follow-up to determine if UV exposure behavior changed in a subset of at least 315 students. We will obtain baseline and follow-up UV exposure data using dosimeters measuring real change in sun exposure behavior. Our proposed approach is innovative, incorporating students' scientific discovery and personal understanding of their own UV exposures in an active educational intervention, and verifying behavior change using dosimetry. Our pilot data suggests a high probability of success of both the approach and the intervention itself. The potential impact of this study is far-reaching, because it is being conducted amongst the largest population of school children (a potential target population of almost 700,000 school children) exposed to the highest levels of UV in the country. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: In this proposal, we aim to improve the effectiveness of sun exposure avoidance behaviors in children to greatly improve melanoma prevention efforts. We will conduct a randomized trial of a novel hands-on, science-based ultraviolet (UV) exposure lab activity in schools in Los Angeles. In a subset of children, we will determine sun exposure behavior change using dosimeters, rather than relying on self-report. Our pilot data indicate a strong probability of success of the Intervention, and our approach has enormous additional potential to impact melanoma prevention because we are conducting the study among children with the highest UV exposures in the country, who come from a student population of almost 700,000.




Correlation between Objective Measures of Sun Exposure and Self-Reported Sun Protective Behavior and Attitudes in Predominantly Hispanic Youth.
Authors: Cole S.E. , Hawkins M. , Miller K.A. , Allen M.W. , Cockburn M. .
Source: Photochemistry And Photobiology, 2023 May-Jun; 99(3), p. 1037-1046.
EPub date: 2022-09-13 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 36097950
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Sun protection changes among diverse elementary schoolchildren participating in a sun safety intervention: A latent transition analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Miller K.A. , Huh J. , Piombo S.E. , Richardson J.L. , Harris S.C. , Peng D.H. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Preventive Medicine, 2021 Aug; 149, p. 106601.
EPub date: 2021-05-07 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33971211
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Poor prognosis for thin ulcerated melanomas and implications for a more aggressive approach to treatment.
Authors: Hawkins M.L. , Rioth M.J. , Eguchi M.M. , Cockburn M. .
Source: Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology, 2019 Jun; 80(6), p. 1640-1649.
EPub date: 2019-01-14 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30654077
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High Birth Weight, Early UV Exposure, and Melanoma Risk in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults.
Authors: Wojcik K.Y. , Escobedo L.A. , Wysong A. , Heck J.E. , Ritz B. , Hamilton A.S. , Milam J. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Epidemiology (cambridge, Mass.), 2019 03; 30(2), p. 278-284.
PMID: 30499783
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Prevalence of Tanning Addiction and Behavioral Health Conditions among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Adolescents.
Authors: Miller K.A. , Piombo S.E. , Cho J. , Higgins S. , Wysong A. , Sussman S. , Cockburn M.G. , Leventhal A.M. .
Source: The Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 2018 Jul; 138(7), p. 1511-1517.
EPub date: 2018-02-23 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 29481903
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Conflicts and contradictions in current skin cancer screening guidelines.
Authors: Wojcik K.Y. , Escobedo L.A. , Miller K.A. , Hawkins M. , Ahadiat O. , Higgins S. , Wysong A. , Cockburn M. .
Source: Current Dermatology Reports, 2017 Dec; 6(4), p. 316-324.
EPub date: 2017-11-04 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33717657
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Prevalence of sun protection behaviors in Hispanic youth residing in a high ultraviolet light environment.
Authors: Altieri L. , Miller K.A. , Huh J. , Peng D.H. , Unger J.B. , Richardson J.L. , Allen M.W. , Cockburn M. .
Source: Pediatric Dermatology, 2017-11-21 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2017-11-21 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 29159951
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The Role Of Spatially-derived Access-to-care Characteristics In Melanoma Prevention And Control In Los Angeles County
Authors: Escobedo L.A. , Crew A. , Eginli A. , Peng D. , Cousineau M.R. , Cockburn M. .
Source: Health & Place, 2017-04-05 00:00:00.0; 45, p. 160-172.
PMID: 28391127
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Correlates of sun protection behaviors among Hispanic children residing in a high UVR environment.
Authors: Miller K.A. , Huh J. , Unger J.B. , Richardson J.L. , Allen M.W. , Peng D.H. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2017 Mar; 33(2), p. 75-83.
EPub date: 2017-01-17 00:00:00.0.
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Tanning Bed Use And Melanoma: Establishing Risk And Improving Prevention Interventions
Authors: Le Clair M.Z. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Preventive Medicine Reports, 2016 Jun; 3, p. 139-44.
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Current Data on Risk Factor Estimates Does Not Explain the Difference in Rates of Melanoma between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites.
Authors: Kamath S. , Miller K.A. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Journal Of Skin Cancer, 2016; 2016, p. 2105250.
EPub date: 2016-03-22 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 27092276
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Patterns of sun protective behaviors among Hispanic children in a skin cancer prevention intervention.
Authors: Miller K.A. , Huh J. , Unger J.B. , Richardson J.L. , Allen M.W. , Peng D.H. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Preventive Medicine, 2015 Dec; 81, p. 303-8.
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Prevalence and predictors of recent skin examination in a population-based twin cohort.
Authors: Miller K.A. , Langholz B.M. , Zadnick J. , Hamilton A.S. , Cozen W. , Mack T.M. , Cockburn M.G. .
Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : A Publication Of The American Association For Cancer Research, Cosponsored By The American Society Of Preventive Oncology, 2015 Aug; 24(8), p. 1190-8.
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SunSmart: evaluation of a pilot school-based sun protection intervention in Hispanic early adolescents.
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Source: Health Education Research, 2015 Jun; 30(3), p. 371-9.
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Solar UV radiation and cancer in young children.
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Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : A Publication Of The American Association For Cancer Research, Cosponsored By The American Society Of Preventive Oncology, 2013 Jun; 22(6), p. 1118-28.
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A simple intervention to reinforce awareness of tanning bed use and skin cancer in non-medical skin care professionals in Southern California.
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e-Health Tools for Targeting and Improving Melanoma Screening: A Review.
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