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A family-based telehealth program called FLARE helped children of melanoma survivors adopt better sun-protective habits — but didn't meaningfully reduce their sunburns compared to standard education. The 4-week intervention improved hat use, sunscreen reapplication, and shade-seeking, yet sunburn rates stayed similar across both groups. Researchers say additional strategies may be needed to turn behavioral gains into real-world sunburn prevention.
A new study published in JAMA Dermatology tested FLARE (Family, Lifestyles, Actions, and Risk Education), a 4-week telehealth intervention designed to reduce sun damage in children of melanoma survivors — a group at elevated familial risk. The program combined family risk education, structured problem-solving, and a personalized sun-protection plan, and was compared against a standard online skin cancer education program.
While FLARE outperformed standard education in improving sun-protective behaviors — including hat use, sunglasses use, shade seeking, and sunscreen reapplication — it did not significantly reduce sunburn rates over the study period. Both groups saw more children reporting no sunburns in the prior month, suggesting that even basic education moves the needle.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Children of melanoma survivors face a higher lifetime skin cancer risk, making early behavioral intervention critical. While FLARE shows promise in shaping protective habits, the gap between behavior change and actual sunburn reduction signals that more targeted or longer-term strategies may be needed to protect this vulnerable population.
