Design: Parallel-group randomised trial with active education control
Population: 364 melanoma survivor–child pairs; children aged 8–17 with a recent sunburn
Primary outcome: Child sunburn change over two follow-up assessments
Effect: No significant between-group difference; sun-protective behaviour B 0.26 (0.14–0.38)

Children of melanoma survivors carry about twice the lifetime melanoma risk. This randomised trial enrolled 364 survivor–child pairs where the child, aged 8 to 17, had had at least one sunburn in the previous year. Families received four weeks of telehealth modules: either familial-risk education with sun-protection skills training, or general skin cancer education.

Over the full follow-up, the intervention did not reduce sunburn compared with control — the trial missed its primary outcome. Sunburn was lower at the first follow-up point, and sun-protective behaviours improved more and stayed improved through the second.

The control group also received education, which makes a difference harder to show. The lesson for clinic is that a single educational package to a parent is not enough to stop children burning; repeated, practical advice at each visit is more likely to stick.

Ask melanoma survivors whether their children burn, and give sun advice directly to the family.
Repeat sun-protection advice at follow-up visits rather than relying on one session.
Focus on concrete behaviours: shade at midday, clothing and hats, and sunscreen reapplication.
Behaviour improved after the programme even though sunburn did not fall over time.

Why it matters

Telling a survivor about family risk is not, on its own, enough to protect the children.

The statistics, in plain English

The primary outcome — change in sunburn over the whole follow-up — showed no significant difference. The early drop in sunburn was a secondary, single-time-point finding, which is weaker evidence.