Melanoma of the Skin and Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation at Work in Modena Territory: a Case-control Study to Promote an Active Search and Prevention of Occupational Diseases Based on Recent INAIL Criteria

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the link between work-related sun exposure and a specific type of skin cancer called melanoma in people living in the Modena area, Italy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is there a connection between working outdoors and developing types of melanoma that are linked to long-term sun exposure? * Can we use recent criteria from the Italian workers' compensation authority (INAIL) to better identify and report these melanomas as occupational diseases? Participants in this study will: * Be patients of the Modena University Hospital Dermatology Clinic who are already undergoing a skin biopsy for a suspected lesion. * Take part in a one-time interview with a trained healthcare worker. Answer questions about their: * Job history and specific work locations (to calculate local UVR exposure). * Sun exposure habits at work and in their free/holiday time. * Use of sun protection (e.g., sunscreen, protective clothing). * Use of tanning beds. * Natural skin color and tendency to sunburn (and other elements to determine their specific skin phototype). * Other personal and family health factors. Researchers will compare two groups: * Cases: 120 participants who are diagnosed with melanoma after the biopsy. * Controls: 180 participants who screened negative for melanoma but may show another skin condition. By comparing these groups, researchers aim at better understanding the role of outdoor work as a risk factor for specific melanoma subtypes. For participants diagnosed with a melanoma that is likely linked to their job, the study team will promote its reporting as an occupational disease.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Be a patient of the Dermatology Clinic at the University Hospital of Modena.

• Be 18 years of age or older.

• Have undergone a dermatological screening for a suspected skin lesion.

• Be able to understand and sign an informed consent form in italian language.

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze
RECRUITING
Modena
Contact Information
Primary
Alberto Modenese, MD, PhD
alberto.modenese@unimore.it
+39 059 205 5461
Backup
Angela Contri, PhD
angela.contri@unimore.it
+39059 205 5463
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-07-07
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-11
Participants
Target number of participants: 300
Treatments
Cases
Participants in this group are patients recruited from the Dermatology Clinic who have received a new, histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of skin melanoma.
Controls
Participants in this group are patients recruited from the same Dermatology Clinic who have been screened negative for melanoma. These controls are matched to the cases based on similar age and gender.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov