- Design
- Parallel-group randomised trial with active educational control
- Population
- 364 melanoma survivor and child pairs; children aged 8 to 17 with recent sunburn
- Primary outcome
- Change in child sunburn across two post-intervention assessments
- Effect
- No significant difference over time; first follow-up B −0.17 (95% CI −0.30 to −0.04)
The FLARE trial randomised 364 pairs, each a melanoma survivor and a child aged 8 to 17 who had been sunburnt in the previous year, to four weeks of telehealth modules. The intervention taught familial melanoma risk and sun-protection skills; the control gave general skin cancer education. Published in JAMA Dermatology on 7 October 2026.
On the primary outcome, change in child sunburn across both follow-up points, there was no significant difference between groups. At the first follow-up, children in the FLARE group reported fewer sunburns (B −0.17, 95% CI −0.30 to −0.04), and sun-protective behaviour rose more across the whole follow-up (B 0.26, 0.14 to 0.38).
The primary outcome was negative, so the early sunburn reduction and the behaviour change are secondary findings. The comparison was against an active educational control, which makes a difference harder to show. Children of melanoma survivors have about twice the lifetime risk, so the trial is a reminder that education changes habits more easily than it changes burns, and that reinforcement is likely needed.
- Ask melanoma survivors about sun protection and sunburn in their children
- Explain that children of melanoma survivors have about double the lifetime risk
- Plan repeated reminders rather than a single education session
- Focus advice on shade, clothing and timing as well as sunscreen
Why it matters
The family of a melanoma patient is a high-risk group that clinic visits rarely reach.
Don't overread it
The primary outcome was negative; the early sunburn and behaviour gains are secondary results.
The statistics, in plain English
The coefficients describe changes on the trial's sunburn and behaviour scales rather than percentages. A benefit at one time point but not across the full follow-up suggests the effect faded.
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