Skin cancer prevention and sun protection counselling

In the last decades, the incidence of skin cancer has been on the rise in Europe, including Spain, and other developed countries with a mainly white race population. The increase is probably a result of several factors, including increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, particularly during childhood. This paper reviews risk factors and primary prevention measures for skin cancer, focused on children and adolescent photoprotection. We examine the effectiveness of the interventions and the recommendations of expert groups from other countries on this issue. Finally, we propose the preventive recommendations of the spanish group PrenvInfad/PAPPS Infancia y Adolescencia for primary prevention of melanoma and other types of skin cancer for Primary Care offices. These recommendations are primarily: counselling parents and teenagers to avoid excessive sun exposure (keeping away from the sun at central hours of the day, staying in the shade, using protective clothing and widebrimmed hats) and the use of solar cream, but not as the only protection measure from ultraviolet radiation, and, when possible, participate in educative campaigns in school and community settings to prevent skin cancer.