ABSTRACT
Measurement of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is characterized by satellite, ground-level meters, self-reported outdoor behavior, or some combination thereof. The association of UV and melanoma is based on epidemiologic studies that infer “doses” of UV from objective measurements, such as satellite and ground level meters, and from recalled behavior from individuals. Therefore, excessive intermittent sun exposure throughout life is associated with the development of melanoma. Precision in the estimation of the relationship between solar exposure and melanoma is critical if one is to understand the biology of melanoma and to create effective prevention programs. As multiple studies of melanoma have implicated childhood sun exposure as the critical period for UV exposure, the inability to measure lifetime behavior is a serious omission in what is an otherwise highly creative and informative study. A common measure utilized is erythemal UV irradiance, a measure of spectral irradiance between 250 and 400 nm “weighted” for UV by erythema-inducing capacity in human skin.
