Sun protection and skin cancer prevention — formative SAQs

SAQ 1 (10 marks)

Parents of a fair 8-year-old plan an all-day beach sports carnival. They say SPF 50 sunscreen applied once in the morning “should cover it.” [1]

1. List the layered photoprotection measures you will recommend beyond a single sunscreen application. (4) [1] [4]
2. Explain two technique errors that make sunscreen fail in real life. (3) [4]
3. How will you answer their plan to “get a base tan” on a tanning bed the week before? (3) [3] [9]

Model answer

Layered plan: shade structures/umbrellas; timing of intense exposure away from peak UV when feasible; clothing (rash vest, dense weave) and hat covering ears/neck; sunglasses; broad-spectrum sunscreen on remaining exposed skin with reapplication after water/towelling/prolonged exposure. [1] [4]

Technique failures: too little product; missed sites (ears, neck, feet); no reapplication after swimming; relying on SPF number alone without broad-spectrum coverage or clothing. [4]

Indoor tanning: no safe paediatric use; associated with higher melanoma odds; a base tan does not prevent DNA damage — advise against salons and offer non-UV alternatives if appearance is the driver. [3] [9]

SAQ 2 (10 marks)

A mother of a 4-month-old worries about vitamin D if the family “covers up too much” in a high-UV region. [1]

1. Outline first-line sun protection for this infant at an outdoor family lunch. (4) [1] [4]
2. How do you reconcile vitamin D needs with photoprotection? (4) [1] [2]
3. Name two features that would make you escalate beyond routine advice. (2) [2] [4]

Model answer

Infant plan: shade and pram positioning with airflow; long sleeves and hat; avoid prolonged peak direct sun; sunscreen on small exposed areas only if physical protection cannot cover fully, using age-appropriate product. [1] [4]

Vitamin D: pursue adequacy via diet and supplements when indicated; do not prescribe intentional unprotected tanning as the solution. Photoprotection and nutritional vitamin D optimisation coexist. [1] [2]

Escalate if extreme photosensitivity/XP or albinism phenotype, heavy immunosuppression, or suspected evolving pigmented lesion needing dermatology. [2] [4]