Ultraviolet photography as a skin cancer risk assessment and intervention tool

Abstract

I n the Gamble et al study in this issue, the authors conducted a comprehensive study assessing the relationship between severity of sun damage in ultraviolet (UV) photographs with phenotypic melanoma risk factors in a large population of 12-yearold children. They found that indeed the severity of sun damage in UV photography correlates closely with phenotypic melanoma risk factors such as freckling and skin color, yet standard visible light photography did not. Skin cancer primary prevention needs to start with the younger-aged populations. As with other prevention strategies, the earlier in life preventive behaviors begin, the more likely they will be practiced in adulthood. Ultimately, UV photography could be used as a risk assessment tool in primary care physicians’ offices for younger patients and therefore aid in tailoring appropriate skin cancer prevention counseling efforts. There have been many other risk assessment tools developed, such as the risk of malignancy tool in ovarian cancer, or even the body mass index used so frequently in pediatric practices. Increased body mass index is associated with many health risks including various cancers. It is an example of a simple tool that only takes a couple minutes of nursing or medical assistant time (and is therefore low cost), yet it is highly predictive of many future health outcomes. UV photography could be quickly used in a similar fashion in dermatologists’ or general practitioners’ offices when the patient is checked in. However, there may be clinical practice barriers to its widespread use as a result of the costs of such equipment