Table 1.
Summary of studies investigating the association between sport discipline and skin cancers and UV-induced skin lesions.
| References and Year of Publication | Study Design | Number of Group | Mean Age of Participants | Geographical Location | Type of Cancer, UV-Induced Skin Lesions, Sunburns | Disciplines at Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosso et al. [15], 1996 | The study recruited cases of BCC and SCC from population-based cancer registries and hospitals in seven southern European regions. A control group was also recruited from the same regions. Sun exposure was assessed using a structured questionnaire that collected information on the duration, season, hours of exposure, and clothing during outdoor activities. | 1549 BCC cases, 228 SCC cases, 1795 controls |
ND | Southern Europe (Turin, Italy; Trento, Italy; Ragusa, Italy; Villejuif, France; Creteil, France; Besan, France; Murcia, Spain; Granada, Spain) | BCC | Swimming, sailing, surfing |
| Climstein et al. [17], 2022 | Participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited through notices sent to local general practitioners, surf and swim clubs, and the local media. During the study, a questionnaire and full-body screening for skin cancer were conducted. | 94 men, 77 women | 43.9 | Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Australia | BCC | Swimming, surfing |
| SCC | ||||||
| Melanoma | ||||||
| Climstein et al. [18], 2016 | This cross-sectional observational study used a customizable, commercially available survey directed at Australian surfers to estimate the lifetime incidence of skin cancer. | 1231 men, 117 women |
35.84 | Australia | BCC | Surfing |
| Dozier et al. [16], 1997 | The researchers performed a cross-sectional study involving surfers from the Texas Gulf Coast who were interviewed and screened for skin cancer by dermatologists during surfing competitions. | 44 men, 5 women |
29.7 | Galveston, Texas, USA | BCC | Surfing |
| Kaskel et al. [8], 2015 | Participants diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma or sporadic basal cell carcinoma within the previous six months to five years were included in the study. Control subjects without any cancer were also included. The study involved interviews, examinations, and standardized questionnaires to compare UV exposure behavior and assess sun sensitivity. | Melanoma patients: 142 men, 149 women; BCC patients: 102 men, 110 women; Controls: 165 men, 164 women |
Melanoma patients: Median age at primary diagnosis—55 BCC patients: Median age at primary diagnosis—69 Controls: 57 |
Ulm, Germany; Dresden, Germany |
BCC | Mountaineering |
| Loria et al. [19], 2001 | The study included 101 cases of verified melanoma and 246 controls. Participants were interviewed about demographic and constitutional factors and solar exposure history. | Melanoma cases: 55 men and 46 women Controls: 246 |
ND | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Melanoma | Football, rugby, tennis, swimming, cycling, hiking |
| Ambros-Rudolph et al. [14], 2006 | The study participants were recruited during the Graz marathon, while the control subjects were recruited during a skin cancer screening campaign in Graz and Styria. The study specifically included white residents of Styria. The participants were interviewed about risk factors for malignant melanoma and their training habits. Additionally, a full-body skin examination was conducted by an experienced dermatologist for all participants undergoing skin cancer screening. | Marathon runners: 166 men, 44 women; Controls: 210 |
Marathon runners: 37 Controls: ND |
Styria, Austria; Graz, Austria |
Melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, melanocytic nevi actinic lentigines/solar lentigo |
Marathon runners |
| Lichte et al. [21], 2010 | The study included 283 male mountain guides and 309 control subjects. They were interviewed about personal and occupational data, UV exposure, photosensitivity, sunburn, sun protection measures, and history of previous skin cancer. They were examined for UV-related skin damage and skin cancer; suspicious lesions were biopsied. | 592 men | 41 | Germany, Switzerland, Austria |
Melanoma, solar keratoses/actinic keratosis, Sunburn | Mountain guides |
| Noble-Jerks et al. [22], 2006 | The study was based on a self-report questionnaire aimed at retired cricketers. Questions included personal information, playing, employment and medical history, the impact of injuries, training, current physical activity, use of sun protection, and history of skin cancer. | 164 men | 45.2 | Australia | Skin cancer (unspecified) | Cricket |
| Price et al. [12], 2003 | Skiers and snowboarders were interviewed via a questionnaire about personal information, sun protection behavior, skin type, skin cancer history, and awareness of educational messages. | 139 men, 87 women | no data | Queenstown, New Zealand | Sunburn | Skiing, Snowboarding |
| Lawler et al. [20], 2007 | Field hockey players, soccer players, tennis players, and surfers were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire concerning demographic information and sun protection habits during sports. The study compared sun protection behaviors by discipline and sex. | 97 men, 140 women | 23.2 | Australia | Sunburn | Surfing, tennis, field hockey, soccer |
ND—no data; BCC—basal cell carcinoma; SCC—squamous cell carcinoma.