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A telehealth intervention called FLARE helped children of melanoma survivors adopt better sun-protective behaviors, but it didn't meaningfully reduce sunburn rates over time. The randomized trial, published in JAMA Dermatology, found that while FLARE kids reported slightly fewer sunburns at week 4, the advantage faded by the study's end. Researchers say additional strategies may be needed to translate better habits into lasting sunburn prevention.
Children of melanoma survivors carry twice the risk of developing melanoma themselves, yet sun protection in this group remains inconsistent. A new randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology tested the FLARE (Family, Lifestyles, Actions, and Risk Education) intervention — a 4-week telehealth program grounded in social cognitive and protection motivation theories — against a standard skin cancer education program in 364 melanoma survivor-child pairs.
Both groups received online educational modules and live telehealth sessions. FLARE additionally guided families through structured problem-solving, familial risk education, and the creation of a personalized family sun-protection plan. While FLARE participants reported 0.17 fewer sunburns at the 4-week mark and showed greater gains in sun-protective behaviors (hat use, sunscreen application, shade seeking, and UV peak avoidance), these improvements did not translate into significantly lower sunburn rates by the study's end.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Behavioral change is achievable, but sustaining it enough to reduce real-world harm is harder. Clinicians counseling high-risk families may need to pair education with longer-term or more intensive strategies to see durable reductions in sun damage.
