Children of melanoma survivors protected themselves better from the sun after a telemedicine programme. However, the number of sunburns did not clearly fall compared with a control programme.
Sunburn in childhood and adolescence is one of the most important avoidable risk factors for melanoma. Children in whose families a melanoma has already occurred are particularly at risk. A study published in JAMA Dermatology investigated whether a prevention programme delivered via video consultation can help.
364 families in the study
364 pairs took part, each consisting of a parent who had survived melanoma and a child aged between 8 and 17. All the children had had at least one sunburn in the previous year. The families were randomly assigned either to the FLARE programme or to a comparison programme that also provided information about sun protection.
Better behaviour, same sunburn rate
For the main outcome, the development of sunburns over time, there was no significant difference between the groups. Immediately after the programme, the FLARE group did report fewer sunburns, but this lead did not last. FLARE performed considerably better on protective behaviour: the children used sunscreen, clothing and shade more often, and this was still the case at the second follow-up.
Editorial assessment
The result shows how difficult it is to change behaviour permanently in such a way that sunburns really stop. As the comparison group also received an information programme, the difference from standard care could be greater. For families with a history of melanoma, the advice remains: avoid the midday sun, wear clothing and a hat, reapply high-SPF sunscreen regularly and, from adulthood, have your skin examined regularly by a doctor.
Sources
- JAMA Dermatology, 2026 (FLARE study) – summarised in: Dermatology Times, Journal Digest of 14.10.2026
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