- Design
- Parallel-group randomised trial with active education control
- Population
- 364 melanoma survivor and child pairs, children aged 8 to 17 with recent sunburn
- Primary outcome
- Change in child sunburn across two follow-up assessments
- Effect
- No significant difference over time; sun-protective behaviour B 0.26 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.38)
The FLARE trial randomised 364 pairs of melanoma survivors and their children aged 8 to 17, all of whom had at least one sunburn in the past year. Both arms received four weeks of telehealth education; FLARE added familial melanoma risk education and practical sun-protection skills, while the control covered general skin cancer information.
Over the whole follow-up, the change in sunburn did not differ between groups, so the trial missed its primary endpoint. Children in the FLARE group reported fewer sunburns at the first assessment after the programme and showed larger gains in sun-protective behaviour through the second assessment (B 0.26, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.38).
Children of melanoma survivors carry about twice the lifetime melanoma risk. This trial suggests that education changes habits but that the effect on sunburn fades, so one-off counselling is unlikely to be enough.
- When treating a melanoma patient, ask whether they have children and whether those children burn.
- Give families specific behaviours, not just general risk information.
- Repeat sun-protection advice each season; one session did not hold.
- Children of melanoma survivors have about twice the lifetime melanoma risk.
Why it matters
Melanoma follow-up is also a chance to protect the next generation.
Don't overread it
The trial missed its primary endpoint; the early sunburn reduction is a secondary finding.
The statistics, in plain English
The primary endpoint, change in sunburn over time, was not significant. The early drop in sunburn and the behaviour gains are secondary findings and should be read as supportive, not proof of benefit.
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