BACKGROUND: Although sun exposure is an established cause of cutaneous malignant melanoma, possible interactions with host factors remain incompletely understood. Here we report the first results from a large prospective cohort study of pigmentation factors and sun exposure in relation to melanoma risk. METHODS: The Women's Lifestyle and Health Cohort Study included 106 379 women from Norway and Sweden who were aged 30-50 years in 1991 or 1992 when they completed an extensive questionnaire on personal characteristics and exposures. Linkages to national registries ensured complete follow-up through December 31, 1999. Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 8.1 years, 187 cases of melanoma were diagnosed. Risk of melanoma was statistically significantly associated with increasing body surface area (RR for > or =1.79 m2 versus or =7 nevi versus 0 nevi = 5.29, 95% CI = 2.33 to 12.01; P(trend)
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Comment In: J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Feb 18;96(4):335-6; author reply 336-814970286
Comment In: J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Feb 18;96(4):335; author reply 337-814970285